Melton and Moorabool taxi drivers are lamenting the rising popularity of share-riding service Uber.
Bacchus Marsh and Melton Taxis manager Charlie Habib said business was going “very badly” at the moment, blaming it on Uber, the current financial climate and the “expensive” taxi industry.
Uber started in the United States and has spread across the globe, at the expense of taxi drivers’ wages in almost every instance.
Mr Habib, who has been a taxi driver for 44 years, said his industry was going through a lot of changes, making the future uncertain.
“There’s a lot of competition and unfair competition,” he said.
“In the Melton area, we are charging $100 to the [Melbourne CBD] while they [Uber] are charging $65.
“The problem with the taxi industry is you have to pay VicRoads’ registration, which is very expensive, car insurance, other insurances, and then you have to pay for the meters.”
There has been ongoing controversy surrounding Uber’s emergence, with taxi industries pressuring state governments to clamp down on “illegal” activities.
Earlier this year, the Victorian government convened a taxi and hire car ministerial forum, which meets quarterly to consider ways to reform the industry, reduce red-tape, deliver a multi-purpose taxi program, wheelchair- accessible taxis, a knowledge test and the emergence of ride-share services.
“Recent reforms have made conditions fairer and more equitable, and the state Labor government will continue to work with operators, drivers and users to create a stronger, safer taxi and hire car industry,” Victoria’s acting Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula told Star Weekly.
Asked about these reforms, which guarantee taxi drivers at least 55 per cent of takings – up from 50 per cent – Mr Habib said this incentive was from “the wrong person’s purse”.
“The state government says they’re giving incentives to drivers, but it’s the owner who’s disadvantaged now,” he said.
“They increased fares six years ago by only four per cent, but everything else has gone up.”
Uber and the Victorian Taxi Association were contacted for comment.
