The parking brake on rideshare operators in the Limestone Coast is about to be lifted, with the State Government this week removing restrictions on metropolitan rideshare and chauffer drivers, allowing them to operate statewide.
Changes will be gazetted this week, with rideshare and chauffeur drivers no longer required to apply for a separate accreditation to operate outside of the metropolitan boundary.
Until now, metropolitan accredited drivers could finish a trip outside of the Adelaide boundary – which extended as far north as Gawler and to Mount Barker to the east – but could not have a trip both start and end outside the boundary without an additional accreditation.
While Uber was eligible to seek an exemption to operate outside the boundary, none was ever sought.
Only country taxi operators can currently operate outside of the metropolitan boundary, but legislation is currently before parliament that if passed will extend these arrangements to include all taxis, as part of a suite of wider changes flowing from the government’s Passenger Transport Act review.
Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the government was removing the barrier to rideshare being available across the whole state.
“This will be a major boon for regional communities, which will be evidenced during Gather Round when it will make it easier for footy fans to get to and from SA’s footy festival,” he said.
“Our thorough and wide-ranging review recognised that current arrangements needed to adapt to better service outer-urban and regional residents, as well as to support greater tourism and access to popular regional attractions and events such as Gather Round.”
Minister Koutsantonis said the changes will allow accredited drivers to operate freely without any new forms or fees.
“Similar statewide restrictions for taxi operators will also be lifted under legislation currently progressing through state parliament,” he said.
“I expect to see chauffeur and rideshare operators embrace the change and provide flexible and better services for more South Australians and our visitors. This is what operators have been calling for, and the onus is now on them to deliver.”
Minister Koutsantonis said this will be a “benefit for customers first and foremost”.
“People in regions such as the Limestone Coast well know there are times existing services simply cannot meet demand,” he said.
“Existing operators should not fear these changes – we expect they will simply provide services that meet a demand when it is not currently being met, making it easier for residents and visitors alike to get around and support local businesses.
“We are removing the metropolitan boundary for all rideshare operators – this change will be year-round, from this week.
“The onus is then on operators to step up – it may take some time for them to mobilise across the state, but they have no more excuses.
“This is what rideshare operators including Uber have long called for, and we expect them to now put their money where their mouth is and provide these services in areas that have been crying out for more passenger transport options.”
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Ben Hood, from Mount Gambier, welcomed the news.
“I have heard from publicans and punters alike that rideshare in places like Mount Gambier will be a huge benefit for safety,” he said.
“We have plenty of young people leaving pubs at night and struggling to get a ride home.
“This reform will give people in regional areas piece of mind, but it’s disappointing the government has continually dropped the ball in getting this done.”
