Geraldton straw poll: What the community thinks about Uber coming to town

For many, it’s been a long time coming. This week, Uber announced it would soon be launching in Geraldton, calling for interested drivers to sign up.

The Geraldton Guardian took to the streets to find out how locals feel about the upcoming rideshare service coming to town.

John Burgess

“Not impressed. I mean, it’s just another multinational coming in, and whoever’s already doing it is going to end up being either cut out or absorbed by Uber, which I don’t think is a good thing for this small town.

“I’d be a bit dubious about it coming . . . I think people don’t balance the good with the bad sometimes.”

Tyrone Cook, 50, surveyor

“That’ll be good. Awesome, and it’ll make a difference. I think they’ll be more reliable than taxis at the moment.”

Mark Lynch, 44, mechanical fitter

“Taxis can be unreliable at times, certain times of night, and good opportunity for people who want to do a bit of extra work.”

Ava Lynch, 16, student

“It’s good, it’s safer, like it’s better than having a taxi and having to share your location; it’s easier, and I trust it more than just getting into a car.”

Isabelle Scarpuzza, 23, student dietitian

“We need it because the taxi services aren’t the best, unfortunately . . . the turnaround times for them to pick you up are like hours, and for young people, they’re more inclined to drink and drive.”

Max Lord, 23, boilermaker

“When you leave the pub, there’s never a taxi there. You try and call for one, but hours of waiting, and it never arrives, ever. So, if Uber was here, they’d make an absolute killing.”

Denver Jones, 26, fitter

“It’d be a good bit of competition, and probably gives a lot more access to people. I think it’d be good for people to be able to get around town a lot easier as well. Yeah, I think it’s a good thing. I think it will stop people trying to drive home, drunk-driving and all that, getting them scooters and crashing them and all that.”

Emma Barrett, 35, teacher’s assistant

“It’s absolutely brilliant. There are so few taxis around and available for people who go out at weekends and stuff, that I think Uber is a brilliant idea to have come to town.“

Rachel Thwaits, 35, teacher

“Taxis are expensive, so it’s great, and I’m absolutely for it (Uber).”

Laura Lang, 35, teacher

“Sometimes you just cannot get a taxi, and so to have the extra option and the competition, I think actually will be really good for the town.”