Join Uber Taxi in Melbourne today!

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Last year, Uber Australia updated its vehicle eligibility requirements in Victoria allowing taxi vehicles onto the platform and giving taxi drivers the ability to complete Taxi and rideshare trips with Uber.

We are excited to be extending an invitation to eligible driver-partners to be part of Uber Australia’s next exciting venture: Uber Taxi.

What is Uber Taxi?

Uber Taxi will operate like a traditional taxi service. With Uber Taxi, driver-partners will be able to pick up passengers from taxi ranks and street hail for the first time. We are launching Uber Taxi as a small scale program to test in Victoria initially as a global first. Pickups from taxi ranks and street hail will be in addition to the booked demand through the Uber App that driver-partners already know and love!

What are the benefits of joining Uber Taxi?

Uber Taxi is partnering with leading taxi tech provider Net-Cabs who supplies an integrated online metering, payment and security camera solution for taxi vehicles. Net-Cabs technology is government approved and ensures the accuracy of every fare whilst boosting driver and passenger safety.

What are the costs? 

For a limited time, there will be no upfront cost to convert your vehicle into an Uber Taxi (hardware and decal installation). After your vehicle conversion appointment, you will be charged a weekly subscription fee of $25, along with an 8% service charge on rank and hail trips. For trips booked through the Uber App, an introductory 5% discount service fee offer will apply for the remainder of 2024 (22.5% service fee) after which the standard service fee of 27.5% will apply.

As part of the Uber Taxi onboarding process after your vehicle conversion, you will need to obtain a Roadworthy Inspection certificate (costs vary according to provider) and book and attend an appointment with VicRoads to get your taxi plates fitted (~$50 plus any additional fees to obtain or transfer your taxi plates – refer to VicRoads webpages here and here for more information). If you do not already have taxi-level  insurance policy cover, you will also need to cover this cost.

Mel Airport

Uber Taxi drop offs are permitted at Melbourne Airport but unfortunately, Uber Taxi vehicles are not permitted to complete any pickups at Melbourne airport at this current time (rideshare and taxi zones inclusive). We will provide an update should there be any changes regarding this matter.

Vehicle and Driver Eligibility 

*Uber reserves the right to amend the eligibility requirements at any time and will assess each person’s eligibility and suitability for the product on an individual, case by case basis.

What are the steps to get on the road with Uber Taxi?

Ensure that you meet the specified criteria mentioned above and register your interest with Uber via this link. Subject to meeting those, you will receive further communications from Uber with detailed instructions (summary steps below):

FAQs

Will I earn more with Uber Taxi?

With Uber Taxi, you’ll be able to access rider demand from taxi ranks and street hail on top of existing booked demand through the Uber App. Uber Taxi earners will also enjoy an introductory 22.5% service fee for the remainder of 2024 (5% discount offer) for trips booked through the Uber App – after which the standard service fee of 27.5% will apply.

Will I be able to do UberX trips?

Yes. You will be able to receive trips for UberX and other eligible products with your taxi vehicle via the Uber app provided that you continue to meet all other requirements. Note that Premier and Comfort Electric are currently excluded from Uber Taxi.

Will I be able to do Premier trips?

No. Premier and Comfort Electric are currently excluded from Uber Taxi. We will provide an update should there be any changes regarding this matter.

How do rank and street hail (unbooked) trips work?

Unbooked services are trips that have not been booked via an app, over the phone or via a website. For example, trips hailed from the street or hired from a designated taxi rank. With Uber Taxi, you will be able to access unbooked services in addition to booked services through the Uber App.

What are the rate structures for rank and street hail (unbooked) trips?

For more information about Uber Taxi rank and street hail rates, see here.

How will riders pay for trips?

If completing an unbooked service (rank or street hail), the rider will pay for the trip via EFTPOS (payment terminal hardware provided during vehicle conversion appointment) or with cash. Note that payment for any trips booked by riders via the Uber App must occur via the riders nominated payment method in the app

How will I get paid?

You will be able to keep cash you receive from Uber Taxi riders, and Uber will deduct the Service Fee from your total daily earnings. Card payments, on the other hand, will be deposited to your nominated bank account on the next business day following the trip. Note that all earnings from Uber Taxi trips will appear separately on your pay statement when compared to trips booked via the Uber App.

I currently already drive for a taxi network. Can I complete Uber Taxi trips in my existing taxi vehicle which is affiliated with my taxi network?

No. In order to complete Uber Taxi trips, you need access to a vehicle* which can be fully converted into an Uber Taxi and have the regulated vehicle equipment installed by Net-Cabs. If existing branding, decals and/or hardware needs removing from the vehicle, you can select the appointment option to have this removed in addition to the Uber Taxi equipment and decal install.

*Note: You must own the vehicle in order to have it converted.

Will any permanent modifications (e.g. drilling of holes) be made to my vehicle during the vehicle conversion process?

No. Our partners at Net-Cabs use industry leading methods to install all regulated vehicle equipment without needing to make any permanent modifications (e.g. drilling of holes) to your car.