The news that ridesharing service Uber is coming to Wagga has been seen by many readers as a godsend.
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As of yesterday evening, 87 per cent of respondents on The Daily Advertiser’s online poll said they would use the service when it arrives in December.
Besides being cheaper, generally speaking, Uber reflects our modern times and how we interact with each other via technology.
As an app-based service, it removes cash and waiting times are slashed simply because of the flexibility of drivers’ schedules.
But Uber’s real strength is its system of self-regulation.
Both drivers and passengers rate each other, which ultimately means that the system becomes an incentive for perpetual improvements.
At its core, the service is all about quick connection between supplier and consumer.
What does this mean for Wagga?
As Wagga grows so too must its transport network grow.
Uber says that experience shows demand is strongest during weekends and major events. Wagga will benefit from Uber during upcoming events, such as next year’s Wagga Gold Cup and NRL game in which concerns have been raised about logistics and the city’s ability to cope with the influx of visitors. The ride-sharing nature of Uber means it will help reduce congestion during major events and peak hour times.
While many residents, frustrated at lengthy delays for taxis, have welcomed the service with open arms, others have concerns about it being the downfall of taxi services.
The main objection, of course, is that Uber will take a hefty slice of business from taxis.
That might be true, however, market forces are indicating that demand for a new kind of transport is high.
Those preferring taxis would be best to generate ideas about adapting and innovating in response to Uber’s disruption, instead of labelling it as a negative for Wagga.
Uber has been around for long enough that the taxi industry should have plans in place to adjust. After all, nothing is ever static.