Australian Uber users saved $30m since 2014

A report in today’s Daily Mail Australia stated that a study by Deloitte shows Australian Uber customers have saved over $30m since the app’s launch in 2014. The millions in savings were the result of Uber being almost 20% cheaper than traditional taxis. Furthermore, the study showed that Uber users wait half as long as they would for a traditional cab, with Uber bookings arriving in 4.5 minutes compared to 7.8 for taxis.

Uber customers have saved more than $30 million on fares since the ride-sharing app launched in Australia, a new report has found.

Financial giant Deloitte Access Economics studied Uber's performance since it arrived in Australia in 2014 - specifically focusing on uberX, the company's standard service - and released its findings in Melbourne on Monday.

Annual benefits for passengers who use the app totaled $81.1 million, including $31.5 million as a result of cheaper rides and an extra $49.6 million from a 'consumer surplus' created by 'differentiated quality and additional rides', according to the report.

Uber customers have saved more than $30 million on fares since the ride-sharing app launched in Australia, a new report has found (stock image)

The millions in savings were the result of Uber being almost 20 per cent cheaper than taxis, even when taking its controversial 'surge pricing' into account.

Of the cities included in the study, Brisbane is home to the biggest discount for Uber passengers, with the average fare 26.1 per cent less than taxis.

Sydney has the second biggest discount of 21 per cent, while Perth and Melbourne rounded out the list with savings of 19.1 per cent 15 per cent respectively.

Deloitte's study also uncovered people using the service wait almost half as long as they would for a cab, with Uber bookings arriving in 4.5 minutes compared to 7.8 for taxis - a 43 per cent difference.

Financial giant Deloitte Access Economics studied Uber's performance since it arrived in Australian in 2014, and specifically focused on uberX - the company's standard service (stock image)

The average Uber fare is 20 per cent cheaper than the average cost of a taxi, a new report has found (stock image)

Deloitte Access Economics Director Dr Ric Simes said the ride-sharing app has 'transformed' the transport market for customers.

'The impact of the launch of uberX in Australia in April 2014, is playing out as one of our most compelling sharing economy stories,' Dr Simes said.

'uberX is both transforming and growing the point to point transport market, offering an additional option for consumers.

According to the report, Uber customers wait much shorter times for a ride than those who take taxis

Uber's average wait time is lower than most other point-to-point transport methods, according to Deloitte Access Economics

'While uberX is only providing a relatively small proportion of services compared to the taxi industry – approximately six per cent of the total rides in the point-to-point market – it is delivering significant benefits for users.

'And with the likelihood that ride-sharing will continue to grow in popularity, the consumer benefits we have identified may be greater.'

The report also claimed Uber is tackling safety issues in 'point-to-point' travel in ways taxis and other transport methods cannot.

From when it launched in April 2014 to August 2015, Uber customers have enjoyed a 'consumer benefit' of $81.1 million, the new report found

Brisbane is the Australian city included in the study that saw the biggest difference between Uber and taxi fares

Opponents of the ride-sharing giant have often pointed to customer safety as one of the reasons it should not be legalised.

According to the study, Uber's features - including drivers and passengers 'matching' before a trip and the 'Share My ETA' option - 'mitigate some of the risks associated with the point-to-point transport industry for both partners and riders'.

It also suggests the app has an impact on the number of drink-driving incidents and deaths on the road.

Deloitte Access Economics Director Dr Ric Simes said the ride-sharing app has 'transformed' the transport market for customers and changed how taxis have to operate in future (stock image)

The report included a consumer quality benefits description, which detailed why passengers use the service

The report also claimed Uber is tackling safety issues in 'point-to-point' travel in ways taxis and other transport methods cannot (stock image)

'Studies undertaken in other cities have shown a reduction in intoxicated driving following the introduction of ridesharing platforms,' the report read.

'One such study found a significant negative impact on the number of alcohol influenced motor vehicle deaths in each city studied between 3.6 and 5.6 percent.'

Deloitte's report, Economic effects of ride sharing in Australia, was commissioned by Uber.

The breakdown of how Uber's fares are calculated changes slightly in cities across Australia, as outlined in the above table