Bad news for Sydney clubbers today with popular ride-sharing service Uber ruled illegal in NSW, reports Pedestrian TV.
Transport NSW today clarified that the Uber model does not fit into the pre-existing Passenger Transport Act.
“The law is clear and has not changed: if a NSW driver is taking paying members of the public as passengers, the driver and the vehicle must operate in accordance with the Passenger Transport Act," reads the statement from the NSW Transport department.
This means that no driver can accept payment for a taxi-like service unless they are properly trained and have received accreditation as stated in the Act. Those who operate in breach of the act could face prosecution and fines that run to a maximum of a whopping $110,000.
Uber is part of an emerging ride-sharing trend that connects users in need of a lift with people in cars willing to drive. Payments are made via credit card, so no actual money changes hands or is kept on board by any of the drivers, and the cost to the passengers are, in some cases, up to 50% less expensive than regular taxi services.
The new ruling is unortunate news for Sydney clubbers, with Uber offering affordable transport deals to many clubs, parties and venues.