Uber Queenstown first rider, Hamish Walker MP, pictured lakeside with first driver partner Emily Hay.

 

Queenstown is often referred to as the tourism capital of New Zealand, with more than 340,000 visitors* in March alone. We know that more than 200,000 people from 88 countries have already opened the app in Queenstown, and we’re now ready to answer that demand.

From 12pm today, we’re super pumped to be able to offer visitors and locals in Queenstown a safe, affordable and reliable way to get around town with the launch of the Uber app.

This means a ride can be requested at the touch of a button on your smartphone – with no language barriers to overcome or confusion on where to go.

Via the Uber app, riders will be connected with driver partners who have already received their passenger endorsement licence from the NZ Transport Agency and are ready to hit the road for flexible earning opportunities.

An alternative transportation option 

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. And globally, we facilitate approximately 15 millions trips every day.

Queenstown is blessed with a range of awesome attractions in the surrounding area, and locals often live a short drive out of town.

So we understand it isn’t always easy to get around without a private or hire car. Our launch is set to give locals, residents and tourists an easy and affordable alternative to get from A to B.

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 offers locals a flexible way to make money on their own schedule – whether it’s driving during weekend and evening peaks, or by taking trips during different seasonal periods.

The opportunity to earn extra money is proving popular with locals. We already have dozens of local drivers ready to go but we expect this will ramp up as we hit the winter peak.

If you are interested in a flexible way to earn money, you can register your interest here.

Safety comes first

We’re aware that driving on icy roads can be dangerous and want to do our best to help driver partners stay safe on the roads.

Initially, the service area will include Frankton, Closeburn, Arthurs Point and Arrowtown, meaning Uber will be an ideal way to travel around Queenstown and surrounding areas including the vineyards.

This means when we launch there won’t be pick-ups or drop-offs in Wanaka, on the Crown Range, or other mountain destinations such as ski fields.

Save $15 on your first ride!

Give Uber a whirl with $15 off your first ride, available to new riders who sign up to Uber with the code UBERQUEENSTOWN (code expires 31/07/18, is not valid on Uber Eats).

*https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/accommodation-survey-march-2018