Your regional Uber will be a reality in April. Photo: File.
Ordering an Uber is part of daily life for many city dwellers and now the company, which links registered private drivers with nearby passengers via an app, has announced it will roll out across regional NSW just before the Easter long weekend in April.
“Uber has decided to bring these plans forward to help fire and drought-affected regions get back on their feet in support of the #LoveNSW initiative,” explained an Uber spokesperson.
Anyone in regional NSW can now sign up to drive with Uber, although there are some requirements.
“From Bega to Broken Hill, Bombala to Boggabilla, people from anywhere in NSW can now sign-up to drive with the Uber app. And in April, just before the Easter long weekend begins, the Uber app will be turned on across every square metre of NSW.”
The regional NSW expansion will make it one of the largest geographic areas Uber covers anywhere in the world.
Uber Australia general manager Dom Taylor says he had heard from people right across the state that they want Uber to come to their community.
“We’re keen to see locals and tourists alike support these regional drivers when the Uber rider app goes live state-wide,” he says.
“Our first regional city to launch was Newcastle in 2016. Since then we’ve expanded to towns like Orange, Tamworth and Byron Bay. What we’ve learnt is that Uber is a great way for people to get home safely and avoid drink driving. It’s also a great opportunity for people to earn some extra dollars on the weekends or during peak tourist periods.
“We’ve brought forward our plans to expand Uber across the entire state to help fire and drought-affected regions get back on their feet. It’s our way of supporting the South Coast to drive tourists to the area, which has been one of the hardest-hit.
“Our own data shows domestic and international tourists love Uber. In fact, overseas visitors from more than 80 countries regularly use the Uber app to get around Australia – both in cities and further afield. And over the first two months of 2020, tens of thousands of domestic tourists, from 35 places around Australia, used the Uber app to get around the parts of regional NSW we already cover.
“We believe rideshare can help drive spending for local businesses as tourists get around to the fantastic restaurants, wineries and pubs that Batemans Bay, Narooma, Eden, Merimbula, Bega, Tuross Head and more have to offer.”
Tourism & Transport Forum Australia CEO Margy Osmond is in favour of the expansion.
“We applaud Uber’s commitment to growing transport choices for both residents and visitors to regional towns across NSW and it will be really exciting to watch these regions light up in the coming months,” she comments.
“Regional NSW hosts an incredible array of fabulous events and Uber services will help ensure ease of access for everyone. The expansion also helps to open up the options in the regions, from a Friday night out for locals to visitors attending local festivals etc, the service is a winner.
“Importantly at the moment, when it is so important to encourage people to visit our local towns this new transport option will make the whole experience easier,” Ms Osmond says.
The Uber app is available from the app store on Apple and Android devices.
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