“It’s not worth staying on the road”: Fuel spike hits Knox taxi drivers hard

Cab driver David pulls up to the taxi rank at Westfield Knox on Thursday, air-con blaring during a hot Thursday afternoon, eagerly looking for a new customer.

However, on his passenger seat is something a little different – his resume. After about five years behind the wheel, facing rising operating and petrol costs, he says he is ready to leave the job.

❓ What’s happening? Limited supply and rising demand of fuel due to the Middle East conflict has pushed petrol and diesel prices higher, with unleaded in Melbourne’s east at about $2.30 per litre and diesel around $3.10 — if available.

• On Monday, the Australian Government announced it would halve the fuel excise on petrol and diesel from April 1 to June 30 – meaning fuel would be 26.3 cents per litre cheaper.

• Still, many are waiting for the change to come through at the bowser. And perhaps the most eagerly awaiting relief? Taxi drivers. 

🛞 Courier change: David worked as a taxi driver in 2008 and picked up the keys again in 2021, but now is searching for a new job, with hopes to secure one as a courier driver.

• 🗣️ “I’m only averaging about seven or eight dollars an hour, so just enough to pay the bills,” David told the Eastern Melburnian.

⏳ Slow and long days: Cab driver Maurice, waiting nearby, said it was especially difficult to cope with the fuel crisis during the quiet period of the Easter school holidays, with most of his days taken up waiting for customers to walk up or book a trip online.

• 🗣️ “It’s hitting us very hard,” Maurice told the Eastern Melburnian. “Now, it’s costing me double to fill the cab. It’s not worth staying on the road for nothing…I just go home.”

🤝 Holding on: Maurice said he hoped some relief would arrive soon so he could support his wife and two children.

• 🗣️ “The fares are still the same, there’s no work and I just paid for a battery,” said Maurice. “We hope it will finish soon but we are not sure.”