Sydney Airport is addressing the issue of hundreds of Uber drivers parking in residential streets near the airport, causing problems for local residents. Wolli Creek residents have reported issues such as cars blocking driveways and drivers engaging in anti-social behavior like littering and urinating in the area known as the “holding lot.” Sydney Airport is collaborating with Bayside Council and Uber to find a solution, including creating a designated space within the airport precinct for ride-share vehicles.
A map on Uber’s website indicates the boundaries of the holding lot, located near Cahill Park, where drivers wait for assignments from the airport. Wolli Creek resident Rhondda Orchard is among those frustrated by the increased presence of ride-share vehicles in the neighborhood. Taxis have access to parking areas at the airport for all terminals, while ride-share pickups have significantly increased from 7% to 39% between 2016 and 2023, leading to a decrease in taxi pick-ups from 77% to 48% during the same period.
Sydney Airport acknowledges the impact on local residents and is working to address the situation by establishing a designated holding area within the international precinct for ride-share vehicles. A motion passed at a Bayside Council meeting unanimously, recognizing residents’ concerns and authorizing the Transport Committee to investigate potential solutions in collaboration with the airport. Traffic congestion, safety issues, and the overall impact on local streets have prompted the council to take action to address the growing presence of Uber drivers in the area.
Residents in Wolli Creek have raised complaints about the influx of ride-share drivers in the neighborhood, leading to issues such as blocked driveways and anti-social behavior from drivers waiting in the holding lot. Sydney Airport, in partnership with Bayside Council and Uber, is working on a plan to create a designated space within the international precinct to support ride-share vehicles. The increasing popularity of ride-share services has led to a shift in transportation patterns at the airport, with ride-share pickups rising from 7% to 39% between 2016 and 2023, while taxi pick-ups have declined from 77% to 48% during the same period.
The council’s Transport Committee has been tasked with investigating solutions to address the concerns raised by Wolli Creek residents, including traffic congestion, safety issues, and the overall impact on local streets due to the presence of a high number of ride-share vehicles in the area. The motion passed at the council meeting highlights the need to find a resolution to the growing problem and ensure that residents are not adversely affected by the influx of Uber drivers in the neighborhood. Collaborative efforts between Sydney Airport, Bayside Council, and Uber aim to find a suitable solution that addresses the concerns of both residents and ride-share drivers while maintaining smooth operations at the airport.
