Sorry, taxi drivers, but you’ve ripped me off too many times. I’m done

I have developed a pathological fear of getting a taxi from Sydney Airport to home.

So much so, that in recent months I’ve cajoled my husband into picking me up every time I arrive, no matter how early or late.

The few times before that, I’d had terrible experiences. On one occasion, I felt so intimidated by a driver I was fearful the whole way home. What had I done? I’d questioned the route he was taking.

Switching to the route I’d requested, he spent the rest of the trip arguing with me at every traffic light. At the end of the trip, he presented me with a charge that was at least 25 per cent more than the most I’d ever paid. He was triumphant.

There was no way of me winning an argument with him about it. From experience, I don’t think complaining to a taxi company will get me anywhere.

One of the great recent rorts I’ve come up against a few times is the driver saying he can’t show me the meter because it’s loaded automatically, and even he can’t see it.

Once the flag-fall was an extra $15 when we took off from Sydney international airport and the driver spun a blatant lie about it as we drove away from the terminal, but I was already in the cab with my suitcases, so I felt I couldn’t protest.

The passenger might be the customer, but you’re also vulnerable in these circumstances. You can hardly get out and risk having your luggage dumped by the side of the road.

I’ve noticed it has been worse this past year or two, probably because it’s not worth passengers complaining – neither the taxi companies nor the authorities seem to be interested. And it’s hard to prove an overcharge if it’s only $10 or $20. I reckon the drivers count on this.

I’m not sure whether passengers travelling from other Australian airports have the same issue, but it has been out of control in Sydney for a while. I’m a seasoned traveller and I consider Sydney to be the worst airport for rorts that I’ve come across.

If you’re travelling to Sydney’s CBD from November 3, a new fixed fare of $60 might help. But what about those of us who are not going to hotels but to our homes?

This week I exited Sydney international expecting to have to take a taxi (sigh) as my husband couldn’t collect me. It was night time and I had too much luggage for the train (which, in my case, involves a transfer to a bus and then a walk).

I was greeted by the new T1 Uber pick-up zone as I left the arrivals hall. I have always been uncertain about where to meet an Uber, which is mostly why I haven’t used this service from domestic and international terminals.

But even before I could reach the taxi rank, the Ubers beckoned. There was a young woman at the entrance who helpfully explained how the system worked.

In less than five minutes, I’d downloaded my code and was in an Uber and on my way home.

The set fare? $53, plus tip. The usual taxi fare? Anything from $60-$70 with an honest driver, depending on traffic. But recently, it had regularly been over $100 each trip, and I’d had no recourse to question the charge.

On many occasions, the taxi driver had been aggressive when I’d politely questioned him. The sign of guilt, in my opinion.

On the other hand, the Uber driver was pleasant, the car was new and there was no stress about the route or payment.

The Uber stand which started as a 12-month trial will be extended permanently. Melbourne Airport has had a similar system for years now.

Of course, taxi drivers hate it. It’s easier to navigate than the taxi rank and it’s the first thing you encounter outside the terminal. I was surprised by this, given the perceived power of the taxi lobby.

For all the honest taxi drivers out there, of which there are many, I understand your distress. But for too long your industry has run an operation from Sydney airport where some cowboys are not held to account and passengers are too bamboozled or exhausted to complain.

There are issues with Uber, and I’d happily use taxis if I could trust them. The flat fee is a start, but it’s going to take a more vigorous system for reporting and penalising errant and aggressive drivers for me to get in a taxi from the airport to the suburbs again.