In a world first, Canberra is set to become the first capital city to to green-light UberX, with news this morning that the ACT will legalise Uber and ride-sharing services from October 30 this year.
“We’re thrilled that the ACT Government announced today that it is embracing ridesharing and welcoming uberX to the capital,” Uber said in a blog post. “Sensible, safety-based ridesharing regulations will be in place for the ACT from the end of October, leading the way for permanent legislation in the coming months.”
“The ACT Government has not only answered the demands from thousands of Canberrans for economic opportunities and more reliable and affordable transport, but, through their decision, they have also recognised the rights of all Australians to choose how they move around their cities.”
In order to ensure the taxi industry remains competitive, the ACT Government will be slashing taxi licence fees from $20,000 to $10,000 on October 30, and slash them again to $5,000 a year later. Hire car fees are also set to drop from $4,600 to $100 a year.
“What we’re seeking to do here is to improve transport services in Canberra,” said ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr to ABC 666. “The expectation from where Uber has entered the market elsewhere is about 20% cheaper than taxi fares in those cities where they are operating.”
It comes after months of ugly sparring between Uber and the taxi industry, which included the latter launching an attack ad that implied UberX would get you Wolf Creeked.
Quite frankly, the taxi industry might not be happy with Uber, but they’re not pulling up with kittens in the back seat, are they.
Picture: David Ramos via Getty Images.
