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Ride sharing service Uber will be rolled out across Ballarat in October, shaking up passenger transport in the city. The company said it decided to expand into the region after strong demand from residents, with more than 15,000 Uber customers opening the app in Ballarat to look for a ride this year. From October 25, people will be able to book a private driver on their smartphones, offering an alternative to a taxi. And more than 130 Ballarat residents have expressed an interest in becoming an Uber driver, including David and Britt, who did not wish to give their surnames. The pair have recently been driving for Uber in Geelong, but said they were excited at the prospect of working back in their home city. All Uber drivers undergo extensive background checks before being approved. The move has strong support from locals but the introduction of ride sharing apps into regional Victoria has been met with derision from taxi drivers amid concern it will deal a blow to their incomes. Uber will run information sessions at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 5.00pm with prospective drivers in Ballarat on Tuesday, August 29 at Oscars Hotel to explain how the app and Victorian government accreditation requirements work. Tickets are free but must be booked via www.eventbrite.com.au This will double as an appreciation breakfast for existing Uber drivers who were already on the app, but were driving to Melbourne or Geelong to take trips, such as David and Britt. It comes after the Victorian government moved to legalise ride sharing services such as Uber. In similar sized cities to Ballarat, the average wait time for Uber customers was around five minutes, according to the company. Uber Victoria state manager Lucas Groeneveld said Ballarat residents had been calling out for ride sharing for some time. “We look forward to offering residents and visitors to Ballarat, a safe, affordable and reliable way to get around and enjoy the best of the region,” he said. “Importantly, ride sharing will also offer hundreds of Ballarat locals the opportunity to make extra money driving on the app as and when it suits them."

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