The ride-sharing service will hold an information session in Launceston next week, after opening expressions of interest for drivers in the region.

Bert Lewis is one of a number of independent taxi drivers in the area, and said he did not want to work against the ride-sharing company.

“I welcome Uber to Launceston,” Mr Lewis said.

“It’s a waste of time trying to take action, because it is all over Australia.”

He wants the ride-sharing company to enter Northern Tasmania on par with taxis, sharing the same conditions and associated fees.

“It needs to be a level playing field. Major supermarkets have always competed with one another, but they have the same rules.

“It needs to be like that with [taxis] and Uber.”

It is a view shared by fellow taxi operator Peter Chapman, who has been driving for the past eight years. 

After first leasing his car and plate through a company in Queensland, he obtained an independent plate two years ago.

While Mr Chapman was not worried about the introduction of Uber, he questioned its classification as a ride-sharing service.

“Most of my customers have tried Uber on the mainland and would prefer to get a lift from someone they know,” he said.

“I also don’t think the right terminology is used to describe Uber. For me, a ride-sharing situation is when four guys travel to work together.

“I think the moment [a paying customer steps] into the car, it becomes a public vehicle, which means it should be subject to the same regulations as other public vehicles.”

Uber plans to hold information sessions for potential drivers on March 26 in Launceston.

Uber launched in Hobart in December 2016 with 70 drivers, and now boasts more than 28,000 regular customers in the state capital.

Victoria and Tasmania state manager Lucas Groenveld said Uber aimed to provide an “affordable alternative to existing transport networks particularly for tourists and visitors”.