Uber-like ride-sharing service My Country Taxi will launch on Friday, shaking up passenger transport on the Border.
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Many bemoan the cost of catching a cab between Albury and Wodonga but MCT founder Mitch Knorr claimed his service would be 20 per cent cheaper than regular taxis.
Mr Knorr has recruited 10 drivers through a strict vetting process, involving criminal and driving history checks.
They would receive 80 per cent of a fare charge, the rest going to MCT in commission.
Mr Knorr said 80 people had already downloaded the MCT smart phone app, which is modelled on Uber’s.
Uber requires at least 100 drivers to launch a service and therefore in Australia only operates in capital cities.
Mr Knorr said his focus was now on raising MCT’s profile in pubs and clubs.
“I don’t think 10 drivers will keep up with demand once the word’s out,” he said.
“The more demand we have, the more drivers we will sign up.”
MCT’s launch has been met with derision from the Border’s taxi industry amid concern it would affect drivers’ incomes.
Amalgamated Taxis Wodonga chairman Scott Cowie questioned whether there was much demand outside weekends for the 17 taxis in Wodonga and 30 cabs in Albury.
“I wish (Mr Knorr) luck, but he may find out the hard way in terms of maybe not making much money,” he said.
“There’s not a lot of work out there, we’ve had a pretty quiet few months. The last year has been pretty quiet really in Albury-Wodonga.”
Mr Cowie mentioned ride-sharing was legal in NSW but not in Victoria.
“I don’t know how it’s going to work if they pick up a customer in Albury who wants to go to Wodonga,” he said.
“As soon as he crosses the river with that customer, he won’t be covered by the TAC, he won’t be covered by insurance because it’s illegal.”
But Mr Knorr said MCT would serve Victoria just as 6000 Uber drivers did in Melbourne.
Victoria's taxi regulator, the Taxi Services Commission, decided to drop cases against 11 Uber drivers earlier this month.
“The section of the Transport Act on which this decision was based has now been repealed, removing any ambiguity regarding the role and powers of the TSC as the regulator,” TSC chief executive Aaron de Rozario said.
“The Victorian government has indicated its intentions to regulate ride-sharing in the future.”
Ride-sharing is tipped to be legalised in Victoria by Christmas after Parliament returns on August 16.