Ride share

Californian regulators have reportedly ordered Uber to cancel its San Francisco autonomous vehicle trial on only the first day of testing after the fleet of Volvo XC90 SUVs ignored red lights.

Two mates say they have the solution to Parramatta's parking woes.Jack Perkins and Alex Peck have developed a mobile phone application they believe would help to alleviate the CBD's parking congestion.Called Parallel Parking, the app works similar to Uber and Airbnb, and connects drivers with homeowners and residents who have a spare car parking spot at their home.Mr Perkins, 23, said the idea came from frustrating personal experiences.The two young men live in Beecroft but spend a lot of time in Parramatta."We have a lot of family and friends that live there and trying to find a spot in Parramatta CBD can be hard. We thought it would be great if we could use car spots that already exist."You could be driving around for a while looking for spots and then end up parking a 10 or 15 minute walk away," Mr Perkins said.He said trying to find a parking spot in Parramatta was time consuming and stressful for motorists.The free app will be launched in March."If you want to go to Parramatta CBD for the day you can find a car spot through the app, for example. And we will have long term options as well."Mr Perkins said homeowners and drivers could benefit from the app; homeowners could make money on the side by offering their spot and the driver would save on car parking fees."We have a pricing model. We are about 30 per cent cheaper than Wilson parking and street parking. It will save a lot of money for the driver."

Katter Australian Party (KAP) leader Bob Katter called into Bowen recently as part of a statewide campaign to prevent ride-sharing service Uber getting a foothold in Queensland.

Thousands of Uber drivers have been caught out ­dodging tax on their ride-sharing earnings in a targeted crackdown by the Federal Government.

Controversial cab service Uber will be legalised in NSW by the Baird government next month under sweeping reforms to the state's taxi industry.

Uber has "thwarted" government attempts to crack down on the ride-sharing app, as "illegal" drivers escape detection.

The ACT will be the first Australian government to legalise and regulate ride sharing with the online transport business Uber ready to start approved operations from October 30.The Government will roll out laws likely to be copied by other Australian jurisdictions where unregulated Uber is starting to eat into the customer base of traditional taxis, and where worries are growing for the safety of passengers carried by unregistered drivers.The opening of the Canberra market to ride sharing will be accompanied by reduced fees for taxi and hire car owners to cut their operating costs and allow them to compete with the newcomers.The reforms also change laws to match the casual Uber attitude — taxi drivers no longer will have to wear uniforms. Presently even wearing a dirty uniform is illegal.The measures are an acceptance that ride sharing businesses are here to stay and need to meet standards to protect customers."These reforms champion innovation and help taxi and hire car services remain sustainable and important modes of travel in the territory," said Mr Barr."Canberra's taxi drivers will have access to multiple modes of business, from traditional rank-and-hail work to ride sharing and third-party taxi booking apps."This will increase productivity and income streams for drivers while providing a consistent and high-quality on-demand transport service for Canberrans."Mr Barr said today ride sharing vehicles and drivers will have to be accredited and registered with attention paid to criminal records and driving histories, as already happens with regular taxi drivers.Vehicles must pass safety checks and be fully insured. Taxi networks also need looking after."The ACT Government recognises that new business models may put pressure on Canberra's existing taxi drivers and owners," said Mr Barr."That's why from 30 October, the Government will reduce costs for drivers and owners of taxis, halving taxi license lease fees in 2016 and halving them again in 2017."Annual license fees for hire cars will also be significantly reduced." Only taxis will be allowed to make kerbside pick ups and use ranks, and ride sharers having to prearrange their fares.A ride share driver will have to pay a $50 application fee, $65 for a vehicle inspection, and $45 for a police check.

Mr Sturgess — architect of the Independent Commission Against Corruption — is spearheading a taskforce to examine the future of the taxi and transport industry. He will report back in October with ways to deal with "unregulated" ride-sharing apps.UberX appeared in Sydney last year offering customers the option of booking a ride online with ordinary private car drivers. The state government has ruled it illegal because UberX drivers are not accredited under the Passenger Transport Act.The US-headquartered firm claimed in May it clocked-up 1 million bookings in its first year — but taxi drivers, who have lost business to the firm, have complained about the low regulatory burden UberX drivers face.Mr Constance announced yesterday the taskforce would look at competition in the taxi and transport industry, customer safety and the burden of taxi regulations."Cities around the world are grappling with these changes and in particular the introduction of unregulated ride-sharing apps," he said."If we want to see a strong future for the taxi industry and make services more attractive to customers, the next step is to look closely at regulations to ensure a more even playing field."There is a need to ensure an appropriate level of government-backed regulations to protect the public interestUberX drivers have to be aged 21 or over, undergo criminal and driving history background checks, own a 2006-model, four-door car or newer that has passed safety checks and hold insurance.Taxi drivers face a heavier regulatory burden — including insurance costs of about $13,000 a year, mandatory internal $3000 security cameras, $1300 initial licence fees, annual health and vehicle checks — and livery and signage costs.NSW Taxi Council CEO Roy Wakelin-King backed the Sturgess taskforce."History has shown the risk of market failure in deregulated taxi services is high and there is a need to ensure an appropriate level of government-backed regulations to protect the public interest," Mr Wakelin-King said."There is a strong sense of injustice among all members of the NSW taxi industry as a consequence of the current inequity facing taxi drivers, owners and operators. Unless the law is properly upheld, this situation will worsen."Uber also backed the taskforce and said it was a victory for "competition, consumers and choice".