Uber is to get an even bigger slice of Victoria’s taxi market after adding a new feature to its app-driven services – and one that will anger cabbies already incensed by the Andrews government’s proposed reforms. Customers of the ride-sharing business will now be able to pre-book trips in Melbourne and inner-city suburbs.
Uber’s latest move, once again a step ahead of the state government’s reforms, has been met with dismay by an industry already reeling from the proposed changes to licencing.
Until this week, pre-booked services allowed taxis and hire-cars a crucial point of difference, but in what has become ‘open season’ on the traditional industry’s way of operating, Uber has effectively undermined one of its last and exclusive selling points.
Uber’s latest move, once again a step ahead of the state government’s reforms, has been met with dismay by an industry already reeling from the proposed changes to licensing.
Victorian Taxi Association CEO David Samuel told Neos Kosmos that Uber’s actions demonstrated that the taxi industry was not in a position to wait two years for the Andrews government’s new regulatory framework to be introduced.
“This development demonstrates that competition in the commercial passenger vehicle industry is alive and well, but the taxi industry simply can’t wait until 2018 for new regulations that give us the opportunity to compete,” he said.
“Despite the government being convinced by our arguments as to the need for a level playing field, there are some service providers who won’t wait. We need a single piece of legislation to effect the recently-announced reforms …”
Meanwhile, the Victorian Taxi and Hire Car Families (VTHF) group has expressed its anger over the issue. Spokesperson Sandy Spanos said she was “disappointed and disgusted” by the government’s inaction on the matter.
“It was the last bastion, along with our use of ranks − which Uber also now uses. It’s another example of the Victorian government not upholding the laws of the land and not protecting its citizens,” she said.
“There are no consequences for Uber − once again the government refuses to act.”
Ms Spanos added that VTHF remains committed to challenging the government’s reform plans for the industry, and has raised over $1 million towards a ‘fighting fund’ to cover the costs of a legal challenge.
“When grandmas decide to protest, the government has failed,” she said, while confirming the VTHF continues to negotiate with government officials over the compensation package.
Meanwhile, Uber has defended the pre-booking move, telling reporters the ride-sharing service was responding to customers’ requests. Uber’s Melbourne customers will now be able to book rides from half an hour to 30 days in advance.
VTHF will hold its next mass rally protesting the proposed compensation to licence holders on the steps of the Victorian Parliament on the day of the AFL Grand Final, Saturday October 1, at 11.00 am.