Uber embraces regulatory review
"We look forward to working in consultation with the government as they clarify the regulations and deliver certainty to the industry."
Not surprisingly, Uber has welcomed yesterday’s announcement by Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss that he has ordered officials to review the regulatory framework for small passenger services.
The move comes after Act leader David Seymour last week called for reform of the sector to enable such services to operate without interference from the NZ Transport Agency and NZ Police, which have reportedly been cracking down on Uber recently.
Uber had also stepped up its own grassroots campaign for an overhaul of rules governing the industry.
According to Uber spokeswoman Evelyn Tay, “On Tuesday morning we reached out to our riders and asked them to share their thoughts on Uber with the New Zealand government. Within a few hours more than 300 people tweeted in support of Uber, resulting in over 330 emails to the minister urging him to take action.
“Yesterday, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss gave the thousands of Uber riders and partner drivers the clarity they have been asking for, affirming that apps such as Uber are ‘broadly compatible with the law’ and the government is a strong supporter of innovation,” she says.
“We welcome the minister’s announcement and look forward to working in consultation with the government in the coming months as they clarify the regulations and deliver certainty to the industry.
“Since we launched in Auckland and Wellington, thousands of people have chosen to ride with Uber as a safe and reliable way to get around their cities,” Ms Tay says. “We are pleased that their voices were heard.”
Nick Grant
Wed, 21 Jan 2015
Wed, 21 Jan 2015
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Uber embraces regulatory review
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