The New South Wales (NSW) government has officially declared ride-sharing service Uber legal in Australia’s most populous state, with the Western Australia (WA) government expected to follow suit come July 2016. Earlier in October this year, Uber had its first Australian legalisation win when the when the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) legalised its UberX service.
The move by the NSW state is accompanied by changes to its taxi and hire car industry as well. However, the Uber service is not yet legal throughout Australia, with some states banning the service altogether, like in Victoria. Uber is suggesting a $150 annual permit for drivers using its mobile app to accept trip requests in an attempt to legalise its services there (in Victoria).
NSW transport minister Andrew Constance told Car Advice that the new laws, effective immediately, provides consumers with more choices in their commute, while also benefiting from increased competition in the industry, with the possibility of new entrants.
“These reforms are expected to blow the doors of innovation wide open for ‘booked’ services, where customers can track their driver, provide direct feedback, hold them more accountable and choose from accessible price points,” Constance said.
Even with the legalisation of UberX in NSW, taxi services there will still retain exclusive access to taxi ranks and the right to be hailed in the street. Safety will also get a boost, with the industry set to be overseen by a new regulator and Commissioner, to ensure that operators are abiding by the rules.
The NSW government will also set up a $250 million compensation package for taxi licence-holders, where the holders can receive up to a maximum AUD$40,000 (AUD$20,000 each plate). This will be funded by passengers (Uber and conventional taxis), where they are required to pay an extra AUD$1 for every trip. This mandate will remain for up to five years to compensate taxi licence owners.
Currently, ride-sharing services like Uber are operating in a legal (unregulated) grey area in Malaysia. However, the Malaysian Transport Ministry is said to be reviewing possible regulations to legalise these services, a move opposed by various taxi associations.
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Bro Taxi company, you were saying?
Tadak heran la, kalau tanak bawa comepeny punya teksi lu orang bawak uber la. Tadak takut ada ribu ribu mau bawak kita cmpeny teksi ma.uber kalu sudah banyak dia pon mati maaaa
U see.. When human brain thinks…a good logical compromise can be reached….on the other hand,in our beloved nation….
…follows France & Germany & Korea & etc, etc, etc
See the reason why these people are more developed and have higher thinking skill than Malaysia?
So you saying pipu in France, Germany, Korea not develop and have low thinking skills lah?