Driver Who Refused To Go In ProtestOnce upon a time, drivng a taxi in Australia was seen as a reliable and profitable job, especially for migrants. Taxi drivers were proud of their profession, making a decent living, and owning a taxi plate was a badge of honor. These plates were not cheap; the cost could soar to $500,000. It was an investment that ensured a steady income. But then something changed.
Uber entered the market and disrupted the entire system. Unlike taxi owners who had to pay an exorbitant amount for their plates, Uber came in virtually free of cost. There were no hefty payments, no classes to attend to become a driver, just a car registration and a driver’s license. The process was easy, and Uber’s initial strategy lured drivers with high guaranteed payouts and big sign-up bonuses. It’s hard not to wonder: Did Uber pay the government? Were there corrupt deals behind the scenes? The lack of regulation was stark, especially for an Australian market that always prided itself on fairness.
The arrival of Uber was a blessing for Australian passengers. Fares were suddenly 50% cheaper than taxis, and the legal process to become a taxi driver, which involved week-long classes and a lot of red tape, seemed outdated compared to Uber’s quick setup. This unfair competition was protested heavily by taxi drivers, but the damage was done. While taxi operators received some compensation, taxi drivers were left in the cold. They protested, but it didn’t change anything—Uber was here to stay.
Uber’s aggressive tactics worked. Drivers who would have never thought of leaving the taxi industry switched to Uber for its flexibility and better pay. Uber offered drivers incentives to take a friend along for sign-up, and there were massive bonuses for completing rides. The platform was new, exciting, and came with perks like five-star rating systems, water bottles, and even candy for passengers. Meanwhile, the taxi industry struggled to keep up. While a 20 km taxi ride would always cost $50, Uber’s dynamic pricing meant that drivers could make up to $100 on the same ride during surge pricing. Naturally, drivers shared their experiences on social media, showing off their Uber earnings, which led more people to join Uber.
By 2022, Uber had achieved its goal—taxi businesses were dying, and Uber had an army of drivers at its disposal. But with the taxi industry essentially out of the picture, Uber started to change its approach. The bonuses disappeared, surge pricing became rare, and drivers began to notice that the system no longer worked in their favor. The transparent job pricing was gone, and drivers would only learn the destination and pay rate after accepting a ride. This meant that sometimes, after a long day, a driver thinking of finishing up near home would be sent miles in the opposite direction.
Uber’s support for drivers dwindled too. If a driver questioned a fare that seemed too low, they would receive an automated response stating they were paid correctly. A 30-minute trip in traffic might only net a driver $15, with no recourse. With fewer options, many drivers were trapped—there was no point in returning to taxis as there weren’t enough customers, and Uber was paying less and less.
In September 2024, Uber reduced its fares again, claiming a 5% reduction, but in reality, the cuts were much deeper. Protests erupted across Australia, with drivers rallying against these unfair conditions. However, Uber was prepared. It had so many drivers that it didn’t care if a few protested. In Brisbane, some drivers even ignored the protests, continuing to work while their colleagues were striking. The airport staff helped these drivers bypass the protest zones, allowing them to pick up passengers directly. It was disheartening to see officials supporting Uber despite the clear exploitation of drivers, most of whom were migrants.
The same pattern repeated in Adelaide. While some drivers protested, others took advantage of the surge pricing that occurred due to the strike. Instead of joining their fellow drivers in solidarity, they capitalized on the temporary price hike. Uber’s strategy was working. The government, it seemed, quietly supported Uber’s dominance, knowing that the fare cuts benefited Australian citizens as passengers, not the migrant drivers.
Now, in 2024, the situation has become unbearable for many. Uber has taken control, making billions in profit by treating its drivers as expendable assets. While passengers may still enjoy cheaper fares, they should beware—if Uber can be unfair to its drivers, customers could be next in line.
Having driven both taxis and Uber in Adelaide, I’ve experienced firsthand the ups and downs of this industry. While Uber was once a good job, offering flexibility and decent pay, those days are long gone. It’s time for me to move on from this line of work. The gig economy may have started with big promises, but in the end, it’s leaving drivers like me with little more than empty pockets and frustration.