October 1, 2015

Weekly Update

Alex

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Grand Final Weekend!

Here we go… school holidays, a long weekend and two football grand finals! This is going to be huge! The Gold Coast will will rely on you to move around thousands of riders.

Remember, timing is everything! Stay tuned over the weekend for updates.

Huge News – Canberra Backs Uber!

Today, the ACT Government announced it will be the first jurisdiction in the country to embrace ridesharing and introduce legislation to ensure uberX is part of the way Canberrans get around the capital.

Chief Minister Barr has listened to the people of Canberra and has taken action to bring more transport choices to consumers and increased opportunity for drivers.

This is a massive step forward for all of us across Australia. With this, the pressure for the Queensland government to follow suit has certainly increased.

Weekly Five Star Partner Tip

“With the storm season approaching, carry an umbrella and towel to assist riders in and out of your vehicle. Makes for a more comfortable ride.” – Russell (4.75)

Share your 5 star partner tip here. Be creative! The more variety, the better.

News in the World of Uber

Govt To Legalize Uber’s Operations In Canberra, Australia.

Business Insider Australia reports that the government in the Australian Capital Territory plans to announce new regulations Wednesday legalising Uber’s operations ahead of the company’s arrival in Canberra, according to Chief Minister Andrew Barr, as part of a comprehensive “review of the taxi industry,” noting that the changes will take effect on October 30. BI notes that Uber’s driver partners “will need to be accredited and insured,” taxi license fees will decrease “from 20,000 to $10,000 in 2016” and to $5,000 in 2017, and “hire car fees will be cut from $4,600 to $100 per year.”

Uber Customers In Victoria, NSW, Queensland Call For Similar Uber Legalisation.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that “hundreds of UberX users” in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland have “taken to social media” to call on their governments to “follow the ACT and legalise ride-sharing” after the company sent an email prompting “customers to use Twitter to send a pre-written message asking their state premiers to make a similar move.”

In world first, Australian city regulates UberX before Uber launch.

Mashable notes that Uber says “the move will make Canberra the first capital city in the world to introduce regulation before” the company has launched in the market, adding that Barr said in a statement that officials decided against “sticking [their] heads in the sand and trying to ban disruptive technologies” in favor of creating “a regulated, legal environment in which consumers can benefit from that technological innovation.”