First Dunedin rider Damian Newell, The Breeze FM Breakfast host, with the first Uber driver-partner in Dunedin, Jonathan Howley. Photo credit: Acorn Creative

 

We’re excited to now offer people in Dunedin a safe, affordable and reliable way to get around town with the launch of the Uber app.

From 12pm today, locals and visitors will be able to request a safe and convenient ride at the touch of a button on their smartphone.

Via the Uber app, they’ll be linked to dozens of local driver-partners who have already received their passenger endorsement licence from the NZ Transport Agency and are ready to hit the road.

Driving transport choice in Otago

We’re pleased that more than 450,000 Kiwis already use ridesharing regularly to get around the six New Zealand cities in which we now operate.

We are excited we can now offer that same choice to Dunedin riders as well. Already more than 54,000 people from 64 countries have opened the Uber app in Dunedin in the last 12 months to look for a ride.

While Dunedin is a great place to live, it isn’t always easy to get around without driving. Our launch is set to take pressure off local public transport and give residents an affordable alternative to get from A to B.

It will mean more transport options on weekends and during major sporting events, when it’s historically been hardest to get a safe and affordable ride home after a few drinks.

This is particularly important as we try to encourage Kiwis to ‘ditch the keys’ when enjoying a big day or night out, to make our roads safer.

A new way to make money for locals

Uber wouldn’t be Uber without our driver-partners, so today’s launch is also a win for those keen to make money on their own schedule.

With Uber, drivers have complete flexibility to drive as and when it suits them – and we know that approximately 30% of Kiwi partners choose to drive for less than 10 hours a week.