Page 35 - drive a2b FEB 2020 web

Rideshare giant DiDi has launched carpooling in Brisbane, the first operator in the river city to offer the service. Picture: DiDi.

“If the cost of a ride were to fall 50 per cent, I think you Advocacy group Rideshare Drivers in Co-operation
would find commuters would more carefully look at Queensland member Shane Millsom said commuters
the offer and adopt the offer.” already used Uber daily to get to work, particularly in
industrial areas poorly serviced by public transport.
Rideshare apps are already an important part of
commuting, with DiDi spokesman Dan Jordan saying “You see a surge in Uber usage in the outer suburbs
the major transport hubs of Loganlea, Central, Roma from about 10pm when the bus services finish,” Mr
Street, Altandi, Fortitude Valley and Eagle Junction Millsom said. “It certainly seems to be a replacement
stations were top destinations for the service. for the shortfall in public transport, rather than a
replacement for public transport.”
“DiDi is commonly coupled with public transport by
riders to reach their destination as a ‘first-mile’ or ‘last- Mr Millsom said he had concerns about driver pay and
mile’ solution,” Mr Jordan said. customer safety if Uber Pool were to be rolled out in
southeast Queensland.
He said the new carpool service, which would use
some of the service’s 15,000 drivers, would be an “Often the driver will find they’re making much less
“educational experience” for both the company (with Pool),” he said.
and Brisbane riders, but that it would hopefully be
embraced. He also said Queensland laws around ridesharing
services made Uber Pool potentially unviable.
“It’s about 40 per cent cheaper (for riders),” Mr Jordan
said. “Because the trips will
be longer, it will increase
the earning potential for the Brisbane Taxi Licence
drivers, which for us is really Average Values
exciting.” as listed at data.qld.gov.au

Asked whether the Pool $250,000 $228,750
feature could soon be
headed to southeast $200,000
Queensland, an Uber
spokesman said: “We have $150,000 $130,200
been delighted with the $99,747 $100,000
response from riders in $100,000 $80,000
markets where Uber Pool $60,000
has been introduced. We $50,000
are constantly evaluating
whether there is demand for $-
Uber to bring new products.” Jan-16 Feb-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jun-19 Oct-19

DRIVE A2B magazine · February 2020 35