Australian consumer advocacy group declares itself pro-Uber
An Australian consumer advocacy group says it has debunked the NSW Taxi Council's claims that ride-sharing services place passengers at risk, declaring Uber to be “safe and reliable”. In the wake of the state government's announcement that a taskforce would examine the future of the taxi industry, the Taxi Council rolled out an advertising campaign with the slogan: "Ridesharing. It's no safer than hitch-hiking". However, the Choice consumer group have scrutinised that claim, saying it sent staff on 56 trips around Sydney, half of which took place in Uber cars and half in regular taxis, and as a result of this experiment, concluded that UberX (which remains illegal in New South Wales), was “safe, reliable, and cost effective”.  

A consumer advocacy group says it has debunked the NSW Taxi Council's claims that ride-sharing services places passengers at risk, declaring leading disrupter Uber as safe and reliable.

In the wake of the state government's announcement a taskforce would examine the future of the taxi industry, the lobby rolled out an advertising campaign with the slogan: "Ridesharing. It's no safer than hitch-hiking".

The NSW Taxi Council's ad about ride sharing. Credit: NSW Taxi Council

Choice scrutinised the claim. Its staff made 56 trips around Sydney - half UberX rides and half regular taxi rides - in pairs and at seven different times to capture surge pricing.