Uber clocks 1 million rides in New Zealand
Uber has ticked up 1 million trips in New Zealand since launching 18 months ago and its giving away free rides to celebrate.
The transport company, which connects private car drivers with passengers through a smartphone app, launched in San Francisco in 2009 and operates in hundreds of markets around the world.
But in New Zealand Uber was only available in Auckland and Wellington despite strong demand for its service in other centres such as Queenstown and Christchurch – where more than 1300 people have applied to be Uber drivers.
Uber New Zealand’s general manager Oscar Peppitt said Uber would not be opening in other centres until a Government Small Passenger Services Vehicles review was completed. Findings were expected to be released before the end of the year.
Peppitt has previously said the time and cost it took to gain the licences to become an Uber driver were prohibitive for a lot of people.
Uber was hoping the Government would remove a lot of those barriers to entry so it could expand to other centres like Christchurch, he said.
‘‘That’s the kind of market where we think we can make a real difference in,’’ Peppitt said.
A 2014 survey found that Christchurch taxis were the most expensive in the world for trips from the airport to the city. ‘‘We’ve got thousand of sign-ups in Christchurch, we’ve got hundreds of people ready to drive we’re really just waiting on the outcome of the review.’’
Peppitt said the company was celebrating hitting its 1 millionth ride on Friday by offering customers two free rides up to $20 each.
In New Zealand Uber had more than 100,000 customers and 1500 drivers.
The 1 million trips in Auckland and Wellington had covered more than 5 million kilometres.
Uber said it had created hundreds of jobs for drivers from areas of high unemployment.