Taxis in Melbourne

Melbourne taxis are numerous and easy to spot – they are all uniformly yellow. As well, drivers must always wear a neat uniform and have an identity card on show at all times.

Hailing a cab
Cabs often wait in designated ranks that are clearly signposted at central locations like major hotels in the CBD, or busy spots such as Flinders Street Station. You can also hail a taxi in the street – if the rooftop light is illuminated, it means the taxi is available for hire – or book a taxi by telephone. Outside Melbourne, taxis widely operate in Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, with additional cabs at country towns throughout the rest of the state.

Taxi totems
Melbourne has recently launched a number of 'taxi totems' around the city and in some regional centres, which will be lit and will make it easier to hail cabs and for cabs to notice you. The totems will feature your location name and the nearest cross street, a list of local taxi services and booking numbers including numbers for wheelchair accessible taxis and connections to train, tram and bus services where relevant.

Fares and surcharges
Taxi meters are usually clearly visible, so you can keep check of your fare. Late night taxi trips must be paid for in advance. Between 10pm and 5am in Victoria, the driver will ask you for an up-front deposit, based on a table of point to point estimates. You can use the fare estimator to work out what your up-front costs are likely to be. Melbourne cabs attract additional charges like a late night surcharge from midnight to 5am, a fee for phone bookings, a fee for using the Citylink freeway and even a fee for taxis waiting at the airport rank.

Melbourne's major taxi companies include:

13 CABS (13 22 27 – within Australia only)
Arrow (13 22 11 – within Australia only)
Embassy Taxis (13 17 55 – within Australia only)
Silver Top Taxis (13 10 08 – within Australia only)

Accessibility information

Victorian Taxi Directorate (VTD)
The Multi Purpose Taxi Program is a fare subsidy of 50 per cent up to a maximum AUD$25 per trip. Residents of Victoria who have a severe and permanent disability which severely limits their ability to use public transport may make application for the card to VTD. Card holders may use any taxi including M50 Taxis which can carry more than one wheelchair.

Ph 03 9320 4360
Ph 1800 638 802 (within Australia only)
www.taxi.vic.gov.au

Access Cabs are available throughout Victoria and can be booked on Central Bookings: 136 294. Alternatively, contact Silver Top Taxi Service on 03 8413 7202. It is wise to book ahead.

Interstate Reciprocal Scheme
All states and territories have reciprocal rights but the subsidy amount does vary between states. Vouchers can be used interstate but you must organise this at least two weeks before you travel, through the Taxi Directorate in your state.

Extra Loading Costs for Wheelchair Cabs
If you are a member of Victoria's Multi Purpose Taxi Program you will not be asked to pay any additional surcharge for your wheelchair to be loaded into your taxi. Similarly, visitors from interstate who use vouchers and have a M50 card from their home state will be exempt from any additional surcharge.

Safe City Taxi Ranks
Safe City Taxi Ranks have been established in the CBD to give patrons and taxi drivers access to safe transport and fares late at night. The four Safe City Taxi Ranks are located at:

55 King Street
Flinders Street Station, on Swanston Street
22 Bourke Street
212 King Street

All Safe City Taxi Ranks, except 212 King Street, are staffed by a uniformed security officer from midnight Friday to 6am Saturday and midnight Saturday to 6am Sunday. There is a duress button at each location with Safe City Cameras monitoring the ranks 24 hours a day. These hours are extended during special events.