A Wagga taxi driver was among about 15 interested locals who attended an Uber information session as the ride-sharing service prepares to launch in Wagga.
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Part-time taxi driver William Trengrove said he is facing some issues around the operations of his job and is seeking a similar alternative.
“I’m interested about the possibility of driving with Uber as a full-time job,” Mr Trengrove said.
“I think the Uber app means I will be able to find my passengers a lot easier and another major problem I’ve had as a taxi driver, is there are no guarantees my customers are going to pay.
“With Uber having a cashless system and all payments set up prior to the job, makes me very motivated to cross over and become an Uber driver.”
Mr Trengrove said Uber’s flexibility and “being able to start and stop work at anytime” is very appealing to drivers.
“I think just having another alternative in Wagga for a safe ride home is needed,” he said.
“I work on Friday nights when it’s very busy and chaotic and the way taxi bookings are operated could be improved as there’s been some cases where passengers can’t get home.”
Despite the 24-year-old saying some of his taxi colleagues have disagreed with the launch, Mr Trengrove argued that is their problem.
“A few taxi drivers I have talked to say they are not very happy about Uber’s plans to launch in Wagga, but I think that’s their own problem,” he said.
The information session was held on Thursday evening which saw an older group, predominantly males, interested in Uber driving.
Cam Donoghue was among those interested and said he is frustrated by the lack of transport available on weekends and at major community events.
“It’s too hard to get a taxi late at night and I’m sick of waiting until five in the morning to get one,” Mr Donoghue said.
“I’m here to learn more about Uber driving as I’m looking for a way to supplement my income and get a second job.”
Uber’s Australia and New Zealand head of cities Natalie Malligan said she is confident passengers in Wagga will see “great value” as an affordable transport option.
“We have selected cities for expansion based on where demand for trips is high and where we can complement existing transport options,” she said.
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