news, local-news,

Revellers sick of long waits at the taxi rank on cold Saturday nights now have another option to get home in Ballarat. Uber will launch from 2pm on Wednesday, providing a new service that is set to shake-up the city’s taxi industry. The ride sharing phone app allows users to book a lift home straight from their smart phone. It shows them how many Uber drivers are nearby and how far away they are, meaning you can enjoy one last drink while your service is arriving. Passengers are also given the car details, name, and photo of the driver, who they then rate at the end of the trip. Fifty drivers have already signed up with the company in Ballarat. Renee Mitchell said she would be out on the road from 2pm for people wanting a ride. The 28-year-old has completed the police and medical checks required before she can be an Uber driver. She said driving for Uber would help her make some extra cash. “With my work I have a quite a few days off so I have a lot of free time,” Miss Mitchell said. “It was easy to sign up, I thought about it for a bit because you need a few things to drive people around. “You have to have an accreditation form through the Taxi Service Commission who look at your driving history, with medical included, to make sure you are safe. “Anyone that has to drive public around has to get that form.” Uber runs a variable pricing structure, with rides costing more during busy periods when drivers are unavailable. The price then drops when there are less users trying to get a lift. Uber released a list of estimated prices including; Uber state manager Lucas Groenveld said the company was excited to bring a new transport option to Ballarat. “Our launch will bring more transport options on weekends, when it’s historically been hardest for locals to get a safe and affordable ride home after a few drinks,” he said. “This will be particularly important over summer, when local pubs and bars are busiest and existing transport options come under pressure.” Miss Mitchell said Uber’s launch on Wednesday was exciting for people in Ballarat. “I plan to be out there straight away, so if people are wanting a ride I’ll be available,” she said. “My friends and I have talked a few times about how we wished it was here.”

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/35uNxfYD3qVHH6qpjzznj4i/a6b06609-2425-4a5f-b54d-ca4a5ccba976.jpg/r0_188_4776_2886_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg