Report ‘threatening’ taxi driver livelihoods

ERIN PEARSON
GEELONG taxi drivers could lose airline passenger business if State Government and Avalon Airport adopt a report to increase competition in Melbourne, according to Geelong’s taxi boss.
Geelong Taxi Network’s Peter Valentine said the “nonsense” report could ruin the livelihoods of his drivers.
The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission’s independent report recommended that Melbourne drivers compete for customers with Geelong taxis at Avalon.
Existing licensing conditions restrict Melbourne drivers from waiting for customers beyond Werribee unless jobs were pre-booked.
But Mr Valentine said that under the report recommendations Melbourne drivers would be able to wait at the airport for fares without bookings, putting them in direct competition with Geelong taxis.
The Melbourne cabs would seek passengers headed back to the city, taking the most-profitable fares from Geelong drivers, he feared.
“If they only service Melbourne trips, what about the livelihood of Geelong drivers who rely on those from Avalon?”
The commission, which make recommendations on competitively managing state business sectors, said the report identified problems with customer service, driver knowledge and availability of taxis.
Avalon Airport general manager Justin Giddings said the recommendations could drive down taxi fares and improve customer service.
Mr Giddings said the recommendations could overcome the airport’s “problems” with Geelong drivers only accepting fares to Melbourne.
Melbourne taxis might be able to use the recommendations to introduce pre-paid fares for runs between Melbourne and Avalon, driving down costs to passengers, he said.
“We had a complaint the other day from a customer who paid $170 to get to Dandenong and paid only $20 for their airfare, they were completely unaware the cost would be so high,” he said.
“It’s not good for Geelong and it’s happening quite a bit. We need $70 pre-paid fares between Avalon and Melbourne.”