Rideshare comes to the region

Thursday March 06, 2025

THE future of transport across Mount Gambier/Berrin is underway with the state government legislating rideshare in the region.

Currently, rideshare operators such as Uber are only legislated to be located in metropolitan areas, with this soon to change.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis welcomed the news for regional areas which had been calling for the legislation.

Mr Koutsantonis said the move would benefit customers first and foremost especially those in regional hubs such as Mount Gambier/Berrin.

“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,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“We are removing the metropolitan boundary for all rideshare operators, this change will be year-round from this week.”

He said it was now on operators to step up but noted it “may take some time” to spread across the state.

“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,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“This change came about as part of a broader review of all point-to-point transport services in South Australia and we have complementary legislation currently before parliament that will deliver further significant reform of the state’s passenger transport regime.”

The Globe and Jen’s Hotel operator Aaron Davis also welcomed the rideshare restriction lifts stating it would benefit patrons.

Mr Davis had been calling for the change for about five years, claiming customers were often waiting long periods of time for a taxi.

“It also means people can get down to the pub affordably and not pay $30 for three or four kilometres,” Mr Davis said.

“It just adds up and with the drink-driving laws, which we need, we just need people to be able to get down to the pub before we have more competition.”

He said he hoped patrons would find taxis dropping their prices with the two options being able to service both the older and younger demographic.

“Hopefully people should be able to feel more confident in getting home and I feel like a lot of people do not want to go out because there is no way of getting home,” Mr Davis said.

“Some walk but it is probably not the safest thing to do these days as well so I feel like we will hopefully bring a lot more people out to venues and they feel safe where they can suddenly go out and get a taxi to The Barn and not have it cost them the same as a ribeye.”

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Ben Hood also welcomed the development but questioned the government why there was a delay.

“I have heard from publicans and punters alike that ride share in places like Mount Gambier will be a huge benefit for safety,” Mr Hood 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 peace of mind but it is disappointing the government has dragged their feet in getting this done.”

Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell said the change was a positive step forward for Mount Gambier/Berrin after it had been a part of his Future of Mount Gambier 2.0 plan.

“This is a positive step forward and certainly in terms of supporting our community, this is a major step,” Mr Bell said.

“I now have two children who are over the age of 18 and they both talk about being out on a Friday or Saturday night and not being able to get a taxi home or extremely long wait times.”

He said he believed both taxi businesses and rideshare operators were able to live side-by-side throughout Mount Gambier/Berrin and the broader Limestone Coast.

“You go to Adelaide and you have got a choice, you can choose to get in a taxi or get an Uber so it frustrated me that the state’s second largest city did not have that option and now we do,” Mr Bell said.

“I think it is a good win for our community and I have always been mindful that taxis do have a very important place, I see Ubers taking on that demand during a Friday or Saturday night and being able to service our community.”

Mr Bell said community members getting home safety was the ultimate goal and preventing intoxicated members from getting behind the wheel.

“I think there is a place for both taxis and rideshares but at the end of the day this is about giving choice to residents of Mount Gambier and I think Adelaide has proven there are still taxis in Adelaide and there is Uber that has operated for a number of years,” he said.

“In terms of safety I have travelled in many Ubers and felt very safe, it will track where the car is and send them an alert, all that type of stuff so the technology I am not concerned about.

“To me, this is more about providing a service and future part-time jobs as well.”

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