Last weekend, I found myself stranded at Melbourne Airport after a late-night flight. My phone was dead, and I couldn’t book my usual rideshare. That’s when I spotted the line of silver taxis waiting outside. Despite having lived in Melbourne for years, I realized I knew surprisingly little about this iconic transport option.
After chatting with the friendly driver during my journey home (and several taxi trips since), I’ve gathered answers to the questions many Melburnians have about our silver taxi fleet. If you’ve ever wondered about fares, booking methods, or safety standards, read on.
1. Why are Melbourne taxis silver?
Melbourne’s distinctive silver taxis weren’t always this color. Back in 2013, the Victorian government mandated the uniform silver livery to create a recognizable, professional fleet across the city. Before this change, you’d see taxis in various colors depending on the network. The silver color scheme has since become synonymous with Melbourne’s taxi service, making them instantly recognizable on our busy streets.
2. How do Melbourne taxi fares work?
Taxi fares in Melbourne follow a regulated structure set by the Essential Services Commission. The meter starts with a flagfall fee (the base fare when you first enter), then charges per kilometer traveled plus waiting time when stuck in traffic.
Fares vary depending on when you travel:
- Day rate (9am-5pm): Lower flagfall and per-kilometer charges
- Overnight rate (5pm-9am): Higher rates to compensate drivers for working less desirable hours
- Peak period (Friday and Saturday nights): Highest rates due to increased demand
My recent airport trip cost about $65 to the eastern suburbs – not cheap, but it was midnight and I needed reliability.
3. Can I book a silver taxi in advance?
Absolutely! While hailing a taxi on the street works fine, booking ahead gives peace of mind, especially for important trips. You can book Melbourne taxis through:
- Phone bookings with major taxi companies
- Various taxi company websites
- Booking apps specific to taxi services
I’ve found advance bookings particularly useful for early morning airport runs when I can’t risk waiting for an available cab.
4. Are silver taxis in Melbourne safe?
In my experience, Melbourne’s taxi industry has strict safety standards. All licensed taxis must have:
- Security cameras
- GPS tracking
- Driver identification visibly displayed
- Regular vehicle inspections
Every driver I’ve ridden with has undergone background checks and holds a commercial passenger vehicle license. That said, trust your instincts – if something feels off about a taxi or driver, it’s perfectly acceptable to wait for another.
5. Do Melbourne silver taxis accept card payments?
Gone are the days of scrambling for cash! Every legitimate Melbourne taxi accepts card payments. They’re required to have functional EFTPOS terminals, and while some drivers might prefer cash (fewer processing fees for them), they cannot refuse card payments.
During a recent dash to a meeting, I realized I had no cash on me. Thankfully, tapping my card was quick and painless – though the 5% card surcharge was a bit annoying.
6. How do I identify an official Melbourne silver taxi?
This tripped me up recently when I almost got into an unmarked silver car! Official Melbourne taxis have:
- A rooftop light box with “TAXI” displayed
- Yellow number plates with “VT” prefix
- The driver’s ID card prominently displayed
- A working meter
- Official taxi company branding
If these elements are missing, it’s not a legitimate taxi, regardless of its silver color.
7. What’s the difference between silver taxis and rideshare services?
Having used both extensively, I’ve noticed several key differences:
- Fixed vs. variable pricing: Taxis use meters with regulated rates; rideshares offer upfront pricing but use surge pricing during busy periods
- Hailing vs. app booking: You can flag down a taxi on the street; rideshares require app bookings
- Driver requirements: Taxi drivers typically undergo more rigorous training and licensing
- Vehicle standards: Taxis have uniform vehicle requirements; rideshare vehicle quality varies widely
Last New Year’s Eve, when rideshare prices tripled, I found a taxi actually worked out cheaper!
8. Can I request specific features in a Melbourne silver taxi?
Most taxi services let you request:
- Larger vehicles for groups or extra luggage
- Wheelchair-accessible taxis
- Child seats (though availability varies)
- Female drivers (through some booking services)
When my parents visited with mountains of luggage, I requested a station wagon taxi – it arrived within 15 minutes and solved our space problem.
Melbourne’s silver taxis might not be the newest transport option in our city, but they remain a reliable staple of our transport network. Whether you’re caught in the rain without an umbrella, racing to catch a flight, or just prefer the traditional taxi experience, these silver vehicles continue to serve Melburnians and visitors alike.
Next time you climb into one, perhaps you’ll appreciate this iconic service a little more – I know I do after my midnight airport rescue!
