Minister Barr: ACT first in Australia to legalise ridesharing
- Written by ACT Government
Released 30/10/2015
The ACT has become the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce regulated ridesharing. From today, Canberrans can access a new form of safe, flexible and alternative on-demand transport.
Ridesharing in the ACT will allow drivers to carry passengers through services such as Uber, OnTap and GoCatch. This will improve travel options for Canberrans, reduce fares for the community through competition and drive further innovation in the demand responsive transport industry.
I recently meet with senior executives from Uber in San Francisco who welcomed the responsiveness of the ACT Government to ensure their arrival in the capital. These are world leading reforms which highlight the ability of the ACT Government to design reforms that can become a platform for other governments around the world to follow.
As announced on 30 September 2015, rideshare and third party taxi booking services can now begin operation under conditions and oversight by Access Canberra. These arrangements will ensure public safety with appropriate criminal and driving history checks, the requirement of roadworthy vehicles, and specific CTP and third party property insurance coverage in place.
To ensure a level playing field for existing taxis and hire cars, the ACT Government has introduced immediate changes to significantly reduce a range of fees and charges including:* a $10,000 per year reduction in the fee to lease a Government-owned taxi licence;* a reduction in the annual hire car licence lease fees, from $4,600 to $100; and* the elimination of the $350 annual taxi and hire car operator accreditation fee.
Taxis will retain their exclusive role in providing rank and hail service to passengers in the community and the provision of wheelchair accessible taxi services.
The Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Transport Reform, Shane Rattenbury, said that taxi industry reform is part of broader government improvements to the public transport system in the ACT, with benefits to the economy, the community and the environment. “This is a new era for on-demand public transport in the ACT. The introduction of ride sharing will see greater diversity in the range transport options available to Canberrans and more competition across the private transport sector, which will hopefully lead to better competition in terms of pricing,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“Under these reforms the wheelchair accessible taxi service (WAT), its booking arrangements and the Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS) will not change. The quality of the WAT program is valued by the ACT community, and the Government resolves to retain its prominent role in serving those living with disabilities. The Taxi Subsidy Scheme will not apply to ridesharing activity,” Minister Rattenbury said.
For more information on the Taxi Industry Innovation Reforms and to view the On-demand public transport reform document, economic modelling by the Centre for International Economics and public submissions received as part of the community consultation, visit: www.act.gov.au/taxi-industry-reforms
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
