Uber plans southern expansion

Ride-sharing giant Uber is expanding into Otago, with plans to start operating in Dunedin and Queenstown within the next few months.

The company is currently assessing the local market, and has said it will provide concrete launch dates for both southern centres in April.

However, it is understood to be aiming to begin operations in Dunedin from mid to late-May, with Queenstown likely to start a week afterwards.

The companion Uber Eats app, which allows customers to place orders and have food delivered, will also be available in Dunedin. ‘‘Uber is currently exploring options to expand to Otago,’’ New Zealand general manager Richard Menzies said.

‘‘In other New Zealand cities, we have seen ride-sharing benefit communities by offering a safe, affordable and reliable way to get around the local area at the push of a button.’’

Customers use the Uber app on their smartphone to find, order and pay for rides from drivers who sign-up with the company as independent contractors.

The San Francisco start-up company is also experimenting with self-driving vehicles.

However, tests were halted on Monday (US time) after a woman was struck and killed by one of the cars in what is believed to be the first death associated with the new technology.

Dunedin and Queenstown will bring the number of New Zealand centres the global company operates in to seven, almost four years after it first started in Auckland.

Since operating in New Zealand it has come under fire for flouting transport rules and using drivers without the required passenger endorsement licenses.

However, the requirements were relaxed last October.

Uber now requires all its drivers to hold the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) endorsements.