WAITS of up to an hour at the taxi rank during a night out or during peak hour could soon be a thing of the past.
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The NSW state government legalised ride-sharing app Uber, clearing the way for Wagga drivers and passengers to use the service.
Wagga Business Chamber president Tim Rose said he believed it would be a positive development for the city.
He said the benefit would be clear during Friday and Saturday nights when taxis were stretched to the limit shepherding people home.
“We’ve been supportive of Uber coming to town, as long as the taxi industry was compensated,” Mr Rose said.
“Wagga’s taxis have always provided sensational service and at the end of the day, it’s the service offering that determines a business’ success.
“The industry will lift its game and it will be good for the consumer in the end,” Mr Rose said.
The state government will pay taxi license owners up to $20,000 per plate and has relaxed 50 regulations, taxi and Uber fares will be levied $1 to help fund the compensation package.
Mr Rose was confident taxi operators such as Wagga’s co-operative would be agile enough to innovate to meet the competition.
“Any business presented with competition ends up better … they’re forced to innovate and take costs out of the business.”
The state government has also ruled taxis will continue to have exclusive access to ranks and Sydney Airport.
Mr Rose said he’d like to see taxis continue to have that same access to Wagga’s airport – to ensure efficiency for airline passengers.
Based in California, Uber has welcomed the government’s announcement.
"We’re delighted that, following this announcement, economic opportunities and choice will be opened up to the people of New South Wales, including in regional towns and cities,” a Uber spokesman said.
“While are still working through the detail of the regulations with the Government, we look forward to expanding our services outside of Sydney.
“We also know regional communities are suffering from underemployment and unemployment and believe they would benefit from having the economic opportunities that ridesharing brings.
“We have also seen across many markets that having access to safe, reliable and affordable transport lowers incidences of drink driving - an issue that is particularly felt in regional communities across the country,” the spokesman said.
Wagga Radio Cabs Co-Op Society was contacted for comment.
