MEL Taxi Blockade [ short fare return queue jump ending ]

[Aussie_flyer]

It's a Flat $3.

What with FlagFall, the Airport Fee etc, it's $10 already on the meter before you pass the Ibis.


A little off topic, but don't forget the 478/479 Buses to Airport West, Niddrie and Essendon.

Those buses dont have the best schedules and after flying long haul who wants to stuff around with buses. There has to be a better way for the airport to manage the short fair issue.

 

[serfty]

Me! I'd do almost ANYTHING to avoid taking a cab from MEL! I admit it was better about two years ago when the bus stop was in front of the Hilton.

 

[toowongman]

There has to be a better way for the airport to manage the short fair issue.

Digital camera systems that can read number plates. Log the taxi leaving, log it arriving. If it rorts the system - send out a fine.

 

[cgichard]

I haven't been following the news closely, but how is it going for taxis TO MEL airport. I live in mid-Brunswick: what are my chances of getting a taxi to take me to the airport for 8.25 check-in on Monday morning?

Is my only alternative tram into the City, change to tram going to Southern Cross, and Skybus from there? Very time-consuming and awkward with suitcase and hand luggage.

 

[MrHyde]

Digital camera systems that can read number plates. Log the taxi leaving, log it arriving. If it rorts the system - send out a fine.

I don't think it needs to be that complicated. A simpler (cheaper) option could be using something like parking tickets. Get a ticket on leaving the airport. When you arrive back, use the ticket to open the boom gate. Set up the system so that the ticket has to be used with 20 minutes of leaving. The system could still be rorted by taxi drivers taking a ticket and then giving it to their mates who are entering the airport, but would still be better than the current system.

 

[mella2007]

My office is in airport west and home not far from there. I get abused regularly and given prices on the meter double than what it should be. Last time I refused to pay the amount as I know he was ripping me. He apologised and told me to pay whatever I wanted to. Gave him $15 instead of the $40 he tried to inflate. Obviously thought I had no idea.

 

[medhead]

The passenger pays the airport fee not the taxi.

Flag fall is the minimum taxi fare, that has been mentioned.

 

[whatmeworry]

I haven't been following the news closely, but how is it going for taxis TO MEL airport. I live in mid-Brunswick: what are my chances of getting a taxi to take me to the airport for 8.25 check-in on Monday morning?

Is my only alternative tram into the City, change to tram going to Southern Cross, and Skybus from there? Very time-consuming and awkward with suitcase and hand luggage.

You could take public all the way to the Airport. I believe there is a bus from Brunswick to Moonee Ponds and a bus from Moone Ponds to the Airport. Should only take 52 minutes.

Plan Journey - Public Transport Victoria

 

[cgichard]

Thanks for that; I hadn't thought of that route. I have saved that journey just in case all taxis are boycotting even going to the airport. But it is rather a trek at both ends, and getting on and off buses with 2 items of luggage is not easy for this 'little old lady'.

 

[AIRwin]

Thanks for that; I hadn't thought of that route. I have saved that journey just in case all taxis are boycotting even going to the airport. But it is rather a trek at both ends, and getting on and off buses with 2 items of luggage is not easy for this 'little old lady'.

Have you considered Starbus (cheaper than Skybus) or Jetbus (slightly cheaper than Starbus)?
Melbourne Airport Shuttle | Transport to Melbourne Airport | Star Bus | Melbourne shuttle
Welcome to JETBUS Airport shuttle

They pick up from hotels all around the city, so you can take the tram to the nearest hotel and have them pick you up from there direct to the airport (without having to change to another bus at Southern Cross like Skybus does)...

 

[serfty]

The passenger pays the airport fee not the taxi.

Flag fall is the minimum taxi fare, that has been mentioned.

The passenger pays the Driver $2 for the privilege of being picked up from the airport; the taxi driver pays the Airport $1.32 of that.

So "nett" flagfall from the airport is $5.20 being the standard $3.20 + $2.00.

Add the $4.80 citylink fee and there's $10 and you are still putting your bags in the boot.

 

[cgichard]

Have you considered Starbus (cheaper than Skybus) or Jetbus (slightly cheaper than Starbus)?
Melbourne Airport Shuttle | Transport to Melbourne Airport | Star Bus | Melbourne shuttle
Welcome to JETBUS Airport shuttle

Very many thanks for that suggestion, AIRwin. I'd always thought you had to be staying at the hotel to use that service. After talking to the taxi company this morning - who could make no guarantees - I've booked with Starbus, even though it will mean leaving home much earlier to get the tram to the nearest Starbus pick-up point.

 

[Simo]

The passenger pays the Driver $2 for the privilege of being picked up from the airport; the taxi driver pays the Airport $1.32 of that.

So "nett" flagfall from the airport is $5.20 being the standard $3.20 + $2.00.

Add the $4.80 citylink fee and there's $10 and you are still putting your bags in the boot.

Makes it an expensive trip before you even leave the airport.

If it is just me I sometimes get the train or public transport from Capital City airports and then hope in a cab closer to the city.

 

[AIRwin]

Very many thanks for that suggestion, AIRwin. I'd always thought you had to be staying at the hotel to use that service. After talking to the taxi company this morning - who could make no guarantees - I've booked with Starbus, even though it will mean leaving home much earlier to get the tram to the nearest Starbus pick-up point.

No worries, my friend has used Starbus to pick her up from a hotel next to my car park in the city while I've used Jetbus to pick me up from the hotel across the road from my office... Once I was the only passenger so it ended up being like an express taxi ride to the airport for a much lower fare!

 

[cgichard]

Yes, Jetbus is certainly cheaper, but the Starbus website was much more informative, and because my journey is within 24 hours I had to book by phone and was therefore able to reassure myself that they were not fully booked already by others also anxious about getting to the airport by taxi.

 

[AIRwin]

Yes, Jetbus is certainly cheaper, but the Starbus website was much more informative, and because my journey is within 24 hours I had to book by phone and was therefore able to reassure myself that they were not fully booked already by others also anxious about getting to the airport by taxi.

My friend booked Starbus instead of Jetbus as they did not require payment upfront... Is that still the case?

 

[cgichard]

I was told I could pay cash to the driver for either one-way or return fare.

 

[AIRwin]

I was told I could pay cash to the driver for either one-way or return fare.

I always wondered what their no-show rate is like with this payment policy... Anyway do report back on how it went!

 

[mel-world]

I don't think it needs to be that complicated. A simpler (cheaper) option could be using something like parking tickets. Get a ticket on leaving the airport. When you arrive back, use the ticket to open the boom gate. Set up the system so that the ticket has to be used with 20 minutes of leaving. The system could still be rorted by taxi drivers taking a ticket and then giving it to their mates who are entering the airport, but would still be better than the current system.

When I lived in Richmond, UK, not too far from LHR (admittedly a few years ago now), they had a system whereby the dispatcher on the rank would give the driver a ticket after you told the dispatcher your destination. If the cabbie could get you to your destination and back within (I think) 30-mins, they could hand in the ticket at the holding area and go straight to the head of the queue. Saved me some grief for a short fare but it was borderline getting to Richmond and back in 30-mins so still copped it from some cabbies who wanted the trip to central London - the West End or the City.

The train and the Skybus usually work for me to/from Box Hill.

 

[elbarto]

I'd doubt a taxi driver dispute in Melbourne makes world headlines

It probably will in India along with the headline that we're all racist and that we're taking advantage of the drivers because we won't pay them $50 as a minimum.