The first Tasmanian Uber driver took to the streets of Hobart when the ride-sharing service was launched on Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Uber Tasmania general manager Matt Denman said hundreds of people had already shown interest in becoming a driver.
“We know that there are thousands of Tasmanians who have downloaded the Uber app, used it in other cities and haven’t been able to use it here,” he said.
“In just the last month alone, tourists from over 30 countries have opened the app here in Hobart looking for a ride and been unable to get one – from today, they can.
“There is a real need to complement the existing transport offerings.”
The state’s first Uber driver Hans Willink took Premier Will Hodgman for a spin on Friday, receiving his first five-star rating in return.
“In Tasmania today, if you’re over 50 years old, it’s actually surprisingly hard to get work, no matter how experienced, no matter how qualified you are,” Mr Willink said.
He said Uber opened up the opportunity for him to find work.
Mr Hodgman said it was important what Tasmania kept up with innovative ideas such as Uber.
“Uber represents additional job opportunities for Tasmanians, with around 70 people already registered locally as drivers,” he said.
With plans to expand the service in the South of the state over the busy summer period, it could be heading to the North and North-West in the future.