HUNDREDS of taxi drivers have surrounded Premier Daniel Andrews’ Noble Park office to protest over new surcharges and Uber, a ride sharing service.
Witnesses said about 200 people caused gridlock in the service lane outside the Princes Highway office, causing access issues for neighbouring businesses.
The drivers arrived in a convoy from an earlier blockade in Bourke Street, Melbourne.
It was the second taxi protest to halt the city to push the State Government to decide how to regulate Uber.
On its Facebook page, protest organiser Victorian Taxi and Hire Car Families said that “we need an outcome so we know where we stand”.
“Our lives have been disrupted for five long years with no end in sight,” the post said.
“We do not wish to disrupt the public, however, it seems as though some wish to drag this out further.
“Drivers are losing income, licence holders are losing income, operators are running at a loss and we have some saying ‘just wait’.”
The Essential Services Commission last week suggested a new $10 booking fee to encourage drivers to operate during peak hours.
VTHCF said the new charge would push more people to Uber.
