NSW Taxi Council slammed for claiming Uber is ‘no safer than hitch-hiking’

Consumer advocate group CHOICE has accused the NSW Taxi Council of “fear-mongering” over a campaign that likens Uber to hitch-hiking.

“Ridesharing. It’s no safer than hitch-hiking,” is the campaign slogan.

CHOICE’s campaign and communications director, Matt Levey, said there was “no basis for the outrageous claim”.

“Consumers don’t need fear-mongering in this heated debate on ridesharing services,” he said.

“Trips using services like Uber are tracked and traceable, unlike hitch-hiking.”

The consumer advocacy group has announced an investigation that will compare Uber and taxi services in price, reliability and overall experience.

“To end the scare campaign we have commenced an investigation that will compare the service offerings of ridesharing businesses with the traditional taxi industry,” Mr Levey said.

NSW Taxi Council CEO Roy Wakelin-King said that “illegal taxi services” put “the public at risk”.

Taxis have safety features including security cameras, tracking systems, alarm systems, licence requirements and insurance, Mr Wakelin-King said.

“There are no equivalent measures for illegal taxi services,” he said.

However, Mr Levey said Uber provides valuable competition within the market.

“Ride-sharing services inject much-needed competition into a market that has not always put consumers’ needs first,” he said.

“What we need is a level-headed assessment of any regulation required to protect consumers, not protect the bottom line of companies like Cabcharge.”

Mr Levey said the debate around Uber should focus on “having competitive, safe transport options that meet consumers’ needs”, rather than protecting investments.

“It’s easy to see why the taxi industry is scared of Uber. Not because of safety issues, but because of the threat to their profits and their outdated business model,” he said.

Mr Levey has called on the ACCC to use its power to compel the NSW Taxi Council to provide evidence to substantiate its advertising claim.

CHOICE will publish the findings of its investigation next month.

The announcement follows yesterday’s anti-Uber rallies by taxi drivers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and heightened debate about Uber.

The Australian Taxi Drivers Association, which was established with the objective of shutting down Uber X, has called for a “fair share of a fair fare” and states that there is no place for a “’business’ to flout the law”.