It might be the world’s most liveable city, but for an airport that doesn’t even have a train, the difficulties that Uber have faced with having their service at Melbourne International Airport has always seemed a bit ridiculous. Though the push back from the Taxi industry is of little surprise; the difficulties of getting to and from the airport has always been taken full advantage of by the Taxi companies, with the fare (thanks in part to the sheer distance) from the airport to the CBD being among the most expensive in the country.
Thankfully, this changed this week, with the airport and government granting permissions for Uber to officially access to the airport, which naturally resulted in taxi protests, causing gridlock and frustration at the airport, rather than empathy for the drivers. And now the airport has introduced an official UberX pick up space, to bring it alongside the services offered in Sydney and Canberra. Though with progress comes a cost that will be passed onto consumers.
From yesterday, the UberX pick-up zones have opened on the right curbside of lane one at terminals T1, T2 and T3. T4 passengers, meanwhile, will find their rides on Level Two inside the “Transport Hub”. To facilitate the new zone, the airport is charging a $4 fee per trip, similar to what Sydney have done with their recently upgraded pick-up zones. Uber will pass this cost onto their riders. Drop-offs will be possible at any open spot on Departures Drive.
Like in Sydney, the app will walk you through where to go to be picked up, and you’ll be able to advise the driver of which Terminal you’re departing/arriving from.
Taxis, meanwhile, will be still found in the Melbourne Airport forecourt’s inner lane in the first three terminals, and on the ground floor of the T4 Transport Hub. UberBLACK pick up locations remain unchanged.
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