Credit where it’s due, Uber is doing an absolute masterful job of not giving a single flying fuck about what the Queensland State Government thinks of it.
Queensland is one of the few states actively attempting to put the brakes on the runaway ridesharing service by upping the maximum fines transport inspectors can hand out to “illegal” drivers and administrators.
Last month the Government raised the fine for drivers caught by inspectors up to $2356, whilst the fine for administrators was hoiked up to a maximum of $23,560.
State legislators have also set up an independent taskforce charged with investigating exactly how a ridesharing service like Uber could potentially operate within the state, side-by-side with the taxi industry.
Uber’s response to all this, however, has been to introduce a rival to maxi-cabs in the state instead.
The company emailed users in Queensland today, confirming the arrival of UberXL. The new service operates the same way as regular UberX, but with the added bonus of utilising cars that can seat up to 6 passengers, and is reportedly up to 30% cheaper than a maxi-taxi.
Taxi Council Queensland chief Benjamin Wash was, not to put too fine a point on it, absolutely filthy.
“This just demonstrates their lack of respect and the disrespect for process.”
Uber, however, returned serve with the media statement equivalent of this GIF.
“Obviously we are working with the government and their review … but at the moment it’s business as usual and making sure we provide safe and affordable rides and different options for consumers.”
Queensland remains one of the last few holdouts in Australia, after yesterday’s news that Victoria would finally introduce legislation to legalise Uber within the coming weeks.
Source: 9News.
Photo: Adam Berry/Getty.
