Let’s face it, the post-flight journey is a delicate dance. After spending a few hours in a metal box in the sky with a hundred other humans, the thought of boarding the SkyBus is sometimes too much to bear. So it’s no surprise that some taxi drivers have spent a good few decades capitalising on our craving for comfort following a flight. For a while now, some of Melbourne’s less honest taxi drivers have charged through the roof for journeys from the airport, but there’s a new initiative that could make extortionate airport taxi rides a thing of the past. This month, the airport is trialling a brand-new, Australian-first taxi booking system designed to make catching a cab as smooth as one of Melbourne’s best macchiatos.
The A2B-led pilot will see three shiny new taxi kiosks set up in the Qantas domestic terminal. Here’s how it will work: punch in your destination, pay a fixed fare upfront and receive a printed or digital receipt confirming your guaranteed price. Then, simply stroll to a dedicated pick-up bay and hop in – no haggling, no guessing, no unfortunate conversations at the other end.
Melbourne Airport’s Chief of Ground Transport, Property and Retail, Jai McDermott, says the trial is as much about safety as it is convenience. “Taxi touts rip off passengers and deprive honest drivers of work, so we’re doing everything in our power to stamp out the practice,” he explains. “Our hope is that this trial will add a sense of security and certainty to the process of catching a cab from the airport.”
A2B, the dispatch system behind some of Melbourne’s most trusted taxi networks – 13cabs, Silver Top, Black and White, and Silver Service – is confident the kiosks will benefit both travellers and drivers.
“This rollout ensures a smoother, more professional experience for everyone,” says a spokesperson. “The vast majority of drivers are honest, hardworking professionals, but it only takes a few bad apples to undermine trust. This system sets expectations straight from the start: fairness, accountability, and simplicity.”
So, next time you land at Melbourne Airport, forget the stress of dodgy fares or last-minute price battles. With this trial, you can actually look forward to stepping off the plane and into a cab – confident you’re getting a fair deal, every time.
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