NEW RIDESHARE JOINS MARKET
Business adds Toowoomba to Australian service list
GIG economy businesses are continuing their rise in the Garden City, as another popular rideshare business charts its course into the growing market.
Today DiDi will announce plans to begin operations in Toowoomba, one of 20 new locations across Australia. DiDi, which is based in Beijing, launched in the Australian market in 2018 and currently offers its rideshare services in Australian capital cities including Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
It will expand into regional markets like Toowoomba on August 10.
DiDi Australian general manager Lyn Ma said the decision was a “significant milestone” for the company. “Launching in Toowoomba will now both bring affordable rideshare to more Queenslanders and provide
greater earning opportunities for local rideshare drivers,” Mr Ma said.
According to DiDi, there are currently 75,000 active drivers on the platform across Australia, and more than 1.5 million registered drivers.
DiDi is the latest in a growing number of global businesses competing for a slice of the rideshare market in Toowoomba.
Uber launched in the Garden City back in 2016 – the first gig economy business to expand its operations in the area.
The female-only rideshare app Sheba launched in Toowoomba in October 2018, with a focus on safety.
Another popular ride-share business across the world, Ola, started its Toowoomba operation at the end of last year.
It comes as Uber revealed last month it was considering whether to expand its food delivery service, Uber Eats, to Highfields.
Food delivery apps in Toowoomba
also include Menulog and the locally-based Happy Too.
Ridesharing apps have remained controversial since their introduction into the Queensland market.
In May, Queensland taxi licence holders lost a bid for compensation and damages from the State Government over claims of losses from rideshare businesses.
In addition to Toowoomba, DiDi will launch in regional Queensland centres like Hervey Bay, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Mackay.
The rideshare app is also calling for new drivers to sign up.