DRIVE NOW December 2021/January 2022

VIC News
Melb Airport
TAXI TERMINAL RANK
GIVEN TO UBER
Melbourne Airport has given the
main taxi terminal rank, situated
at the primary exit point for
passengers at terminal 2, to Uber,
thereby pushing taxi services
hundreds of metres away to
terminal 1 and upstairs at terminal
4.
Disabled passengers will suffer the
greatest - as they will be forced
into an obstacle course merely to
reach their wheelchair accessible
taxi.
Melbourne Airport advises that
in 2019, the rideshare company
accounted for 27 per cent of
commercial vehicle pick-ups at
Melbourne Airport, compared to
22 per cent for taxis.
Jai McDermott, Chief of Ground
Transport at Melbourne Airport,
said that this was the reason
behind the change.
This data is two years old - how
can it be used as an analytical basis
for making decisions?
A secretive commercial financial
arrangement appears to exist
between Uber and Melbourne
Airport.
Victorian MP Rod Barton said,
“This is an appalling decision. This
is a shameful commercial grab
to prioritise the Uber business
model over disability services and
industry participants”.
“Disabled passengers will now
have to travel the length of
the airport, and up a lift in a
wheelchair, dragging a bag, just
to reach a wheelchair accessible
vehicle.”
Uber does not offer wheelchair
accessible vehicles and has stated
on many occasions that this will
not change in the near future.
Melbourne Airport has cleared
the way for Uber, providing
them with an unfair commercial
advantage, while dismissing the
needs of vulnerable and disabled
passengers.
Moreover, this new Uber rank is
not available for other rideshare
services - just Uber.
Is this a fair and level playing field?
No, it is certainly is not!
Melbourne Airport, you are
shameful for acquiescing to
a silicon valley multinational
company that does not even keep
its profits in Australia.
Shame on you!
12 December 2021/January 2022