John, 75, wanted a taxi outside Sydney airport to take him 1.5km to his hotel. Drivers refused

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/08/taxi-sydney-airport-to-hotel-nearby-drivers-refused

15 points · 10 comments · view on lemmy.world

10 Comments

Nath@aussie.zone · 8 pts · 286d (1 reply)

Melbourne cabs used to do this routinely (not just from the airport), which lead to them being hated and why Uber was an instant success when it rolled out in Melbourne. You flag them in the city, and they'd roll down the window and ask where you wanted to go. If they didn't like the response, they'd drive on.

Did this not happen in Sydney?

notgold@aussie.zone · 1 pts · 285d

Firstly, fuck uber and their surge pricing. Taking advantage of drunks is unaustralian.

Melbourne airport has a short fare system so cabbies can jump the que if the receive a short fare.

My experiences with Sydney cabs were the same as Melbourne cabs. Just selfish prices who are looking for an easy mark. Adelaide cabbies were better people but there aren't many so the result is the same.

dockedatthewrongworf@aussie.zone · 5 pts · 286d

This seems like a good time to plug the 13cabs app which allows you to book taxis like you would an Uber. When there is surge pricing I find the fares become equivalent. Also helps that the price is locked in up front.

palarith@aussie.zone · 4 pts · 286d

I live 20 mins from airport and have being refused.

Taxis have become so expensive that it’s cheaper for me to park at the airport for a week then to taxi

No1@aussie.zone · 3 pts · 286d

This is pointless when there is no enforcement.

eureka@aussie.zone · 2 pts · 286d
Rosencrantz23@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 286d (3 replies)

At least Uber and Didi don't cancel on you.

dockedatthewrongworf@aussie.zone · 1 pts · 286d (2 replies)

They just drive the wrong way telling you to cancel the trip instead...

Taleya@aussie.zone · 3 pts · 285d (1 reply)

I just start texting them saying "you're going in the wrong direction"

Calling them out really rustles the jimmies

dockedatthewrongworf@aussie.zone · 3 pts · 285d

Same, on the rare occasion I need to use a rideshare/taxi service I often wait a few KMs in case they're dropping someone off on another app. Then I start texting and reporting. If they're able to tell me why they're going to wrong way I'm often okay to wait a few extra minutes!