Uber is set to be legalised in NSW.
Changes to the taxi industry were to be formally announced by the state government on Monday, Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reported.
Under the changes, Uber drivers would be required to pay a licence fee, while taxi plate owners would receive compensation for losing exclusivity, as the value of their plates drops.
Taxis would retain the sole rights to use cab ranks, and to be hailed in the street.
Uber drivers would be required to pass criminal record checks and have their vehicles inspected more regularly.
Taxi Council chief executive Roy Wakelin-King said the government needed to ensure there was a “level playing field” in the industry, the Telegraph reported.
“It’s not as simple as legalising Uber and everything else will be OK, Wakelin-King said.
The ACT became the first Australian jurisdiction to regulate Uber, announcing similar rules in September and officially launching the service last month.
The head of Victoria’s taxi union said it was only a matter of time before Uber was legalised in that state.
“I think it’s inevitable, guys, that this service will be regulated. I don’t think there can be any doubt about that,” David Samuel told 3AW radio on Monday.
Victorian taxi drivers went on strike in September to protest against UberX, which allows drivers to use their own car to take passengers.
The drivers want Uber shut down or for governments to introduce regulations that would make Uber drivers pay the same licence and registration fees.
- This story was amended on 24 November to make clear that the owners of taxi plates, rather than taxi drivers, would receive compensation if the reported changes were implemented
