Traveller Letters: Uber has driven taxis out of Melbourne Airport

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Traveller Letters: Uber has driven taxis out of Melbourne Airport

Updated
Uber has squeezed out taxis from Melbourne Airport, according to one reader.

Uber has squeezed out taxis from Melbourne Airport, according to one reader.Credit: Justin McManus

LETTER OF THE WEEK

REALLY RANKLES

On a recent return to Melbourne after a short trip to Europe to care for a relative, I was astounded to find that the taxi rank outside the arrivals hall at Tullamarine has been replaced by two conveniently located Uber driver pick up points. Apparently the taxis have been relegated to the far end of Terminal 1, and at Terminal 4. Not only has the directional signage not been updated, which is frustrating for arriving travellers, the distance to walk to the taxis is lengthy particularly for elderly or disabled people and it is poorly lit. It is appalling that Uber has driven the taxis and the taxi drivers out of the market, forcing the public to use its service. I also understand that Uber charges varying rates depending on demand and time of day, that drivers are poorly remunerated and that the service is not regulated. This is in stark contrast to the fare-controlled, clean, hybrid-vehicle taxi service encountered at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

Julia Beckingsale, Footscray, VIC

EDITOR'S NOTE A Traveller operative, preferring to take a taxi rather than an Uber, recently encountered the same problem at Tullamarine. We'd love to hear from Melbourne Airport as to why taxis have been relegated.

STINGING RESPONSE

Brian Johnston's otherwise excellent guide to Thredbo, NSW (Traveller, January 22), neglects to mention one vital piece of information pertinent to this glorious part of our country. For the sensitive souls amongst us, be warned, that from early December through to February the high country is home to the vicious horse or march fly. They are the largest of the biting dipterans who are able to bite through layers of clothing. From sunrise to sunset there is no escape from them. Campers and hikers beware. I am still scarred from my 1996 encounter with these hordes.

Rhonda Seymour, Castle Hill, NSW

TRAINS OF THOUGHT

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Lee Tulloch, that's a wonderful dream about a high-speed train for Australia (Traveller, January 22), however you've missed one valid point. In France, unlike Australia, on a 937 kilometres trip between Cannes and Paris you're surrounded by France and 67 million French people and you've almost gone from one end of the country to the other.

Bob O'Brien, Botany, NSW

DO THE MATH

Lee Tulloch's column reminded me of my very pleasant TGV trip from Lyon to Paris. I wondered what speed we were doing, so I timed the distance between two distance markers and we were travelling at 250 kilometres an hour. Wow. That'd mean you'd get from Sydney to Canberra in about one and a half hours, to Melbourne in three and a quarter hours and to Brisbane in three and three quarters hours. If only. Sadly, flying pigs come to mind.

David Gordon, Cranebrook, NSW

CAUSE FOR ALARM

Allan Gibson's letter (Rants & raves, January 22) mentioned ubiquitous fire safety notices behind hotel doors. It reminded me of an extraordinary situation at a slightly dilapidated private hotel in York, England, in 2006. Our room was, in fact, the evacuation route. In an emergency, all guests on the second floor were instructed to evacuate through our room – past our miniscule bathroom, past our bed – to reach a door on the opposite wall which opened onto the fire escape. We dutifully left our room unlocked during the day, carrying our valuables with us whilst sightseeing. I admit that, at bedtime, we crossed our fingers, locked the door and slept poorly, constantly alert for the fire alarm.

Liz Robinson, Mitcham, VIC

"Evacuate as directed" (Jan 22) and having to trudge down eight flights twice in the middle of the night at a Sydney hotel was no fun, especially as there was no roll- call as we reached the street. This happened again in Canberra where we stood outside in the rain waiting for the all clear but again with no checking of guests. Having notices on backs of doors might meet regulations but staff should also be trained in safety procedures. On a lighter note, the back door information in a Tokyo hotel where we once stayed regarding earthquake safety was entirely in Japanese. Not much help when trying to stop the fridge from dancing across the doorway.

Patricia Slidziunas, Woonona, NSW

We too experienced an emergency evacuation (Rants & raves, January 22) at 3 am in our Mooloolaba, Queensland hotel in July 2021. While awaiting the fire brigade's arrival, one guest stepped outside to wait in the fresh air. A short while after, the guest collapsed and my husband and another guest slid him onto a chair holding him upright and called for an ambulance. On arrival the ambulance attendants wouldn't approach the unconscious patient, shouting helpers to get away as they weren't wearing face masks. Although face masks were recommended when inside at the time, the incident was in the open air and the helpers were in pyjamas after the emergency evacuation down 11 flights of stairs.

Sherrin Xerri, Camberwell, VIC

DO SOMETHING

When it comes to Australia's international vaccine certificate being valid and recognised in Europe, who from our government needs to talk to those from the EU and sort this out? Surely this is a simple process? For those of us planning holidays to Europe this year, this is one extra problem that we shouldn't have to worry about.

Ruth Green, Beechworth, VIC

STORE ASSISTANCE

Natalie Cleary (Rants & Raves, January 15) wrote that it has become impossible to put a bike on a NSW regional train. This is a complete contrast to a cruise I travelled on from Northern Europe across the Atlantic, terminating eventually in New York. Several couples from the Netherlands had brought their own bikes on board and were able, at all eight ports, to spend the day cycling in the nearby vicinity. Where the bikes were stored on board I do not know but if the ability to accommodate travellers wishing to use their own bicycles can be expedited on a cruise ship surely NSW Trains should be able to manage the same situation?

Helen Bessey, Flynn, ACT

IT'S NOT FAIR

As you come into Apollo Bay [on Victoria's Great Ocean Road] there used to be a sign reading: "Welcome to paradise by the sea." That's definitely not the case from Boxing Day to Australia Day when the carnival arrives. My issue is not the carnival rides but the constant extremely loud doof doof from 6.30 pm to 11.00 pm. It is impossible to sit outside your house and enjoy summer evenings without hearing that base noise penetrating your eardrums. A inconsiderate carnival operator.

Peter Evans Apollo Bay, VIC

WIN A SET OF THREE HARDIE GRANT TRAVEL BOOKS

The Letter of the Week writer wins Hardie Grant travel books worth more than $100, including Undiscovered Tasmania by Rochelle & Wally Dare; Emma Shaw's Ultimate Weekends Australia; and Vantastic by Kate Ulman.

See hardiegrant.com

HOW TO WRITE TO US

We give preference to letters of 100 words or fewer and they may be edited for space, legal or other reasons. Please

use full sentences, don't use textspeak and don't include attachments. Email us at travellerletters@traveller.com.au and, importantly, include your name, address and phone number.

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