Uber To Be Legalised By Another State Government

Queensland Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe says that the announced reforms to the personalised transport industry will deliver an estimated $474 million in benefits to the state.

The ride-sharing service Uber and its drivers will be the big winners as in the short-term they won’t require a special licence to operate.

From September 5 a new framework will come into effect which will allow services such as Uber to operate legally.

A $100million industry adjustment package will be implement by the Palaszczuk Government including a total of $60million in one-off payments to taxi and limousine licence holders.

Taxis will continue to have exclusive access to taxi ranks.

In an email to Uber subscribers the ride-share service said, “This is recognition of the positive impact ridesharing is having in our State as a result of your ongoing support - thank you!“It means more people right across Queensland will now stand to benefit from more choice to safe, reliable and affordable transport.”

Uber drivers won’t have it all their own way however as vehicles will have to undergo annual inspections and drivers will be subject to background checks.

The Northern Territory is the only state or territory to still outlaw Uber with all other states either having already legalised the service or are in the process of moving to do so.