Taxi firm unimpressed with Westpac cosying up to Uber

Friday, 13 July 2018

Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker poses with an Uber driver to publicise the launch of the drive share company in Queenstown recently.

Westpac has incurred the wrath of at least one taxi company after clinching an agreement with ride sharing company Uber to give every third ride 'free' up to a total value of $30.

It is one several new initiatives undertaken by Uber recently, including appointment of a local public relations company following a period when a spokesperson in New Zealand was hard to find.

But Green Cabs general manager Rob Wheeler said it did not make sense to him for a New Zealand company like Westpac to publicly support and promote 'international predatory companies'.

Wheeler said Uber took the bulk of the money spent in the New Zealand economy offshore, paid little tax, and had a business model that almost guaranteed their drivers were receiving below minimum wage.

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Westpac had every right to partner with Uber or whatever company it chose, Wheeler said, but Green Cabs had 'always stood tall in supporting our drivers and our environment in New Zealand. We believe in fair pay for a fair day's work'.

'Responsible businesses would see value in promoting New Zealand workers, business and economy above the interests of [some] international companies,' Wheeler said.

The arrangement with Uber is aimed at getting people to sign up for Westpac debit or credit cards, which must be used for payment.

An artist's impression of Uber's latest concept called Uber Air, complementing its other concepts such as Uber Freight and Uber Eats.

It also requires users to obtain a promo code, requiring customers to spend time on the Westpac website to receive a maximum of value of $150 until November 30 when the offer ends.

A Westpac spokesman said the partnership with Uber had proved popular, with tens of thousands of people signing up since the recent launch.

'The promotion has also struck a chord with the 6000 New Zealanders who drive with Uber, especially those who are Westpac customers. More than 95 per cent of the uptake has come from existing Mastercard customers.

'We work with a large range of suppliers and commercial partners and are open to working with other transport operators in future,' Westpac said.

Meanwhile, Uber's new public relations spokesperson Nicky Preston said it was one of several recent initiatives by Uber including recent launches in Queenstown and Dunedin with a $15 first ride discount.

When it comes to lucrative airport rides, Uber drivers will have to wait a while longer before agreements are reached with Christchurch and Auckland Airports.

Contrary to the belief of many Uber drivers, the Uber app is not being blocked by technical devices employed by the airports - Uber itself has disabled parts of its app to prevent easy pickups.

Preston said this was because Uber wanted a cooperative deal with Christchurch and Auckland airports in the same way it negotiated access for a fee to Wellington and Tauranga airports.

Uber was also working on safety devices such as an emergency button for drivers and passengers.

The company was also in talks with councils about providing discounts for Uber passengers on the basis of efficiency, 'rather than having large buses travelling around partly full'.

Preston emphasised that Uber told drivers the job was not envisaged to be a full time occupation but a convenient service for people seeking additional or part time income.

However, several drivers have told Stuff of working long hours especially in the run up to Christmas when they could make significant money.

Uber's cut price ridesharing rival Zoomy remains available only in Auckland and Wellington.