Why you can’t get an Uber in the Adelaide Hills: Rideshare trial flops due to additional fee for drivers

Punters heading to the Oakbank races could find themselves without a lift home because companies like Uber refuse to operate in the Adelaide Hills – find out why.

Current rules for rideshare companies in regional South Australia have been labelled a flop by Adelaide Hills residents, while Uber claims the State Government has made the system too costly and complicated.

The government allowed the likes of Uber and Ola to expand beyond the Adelaide metro area in April last year.

But to date, no drivers have opted to buy a special licence that would allow them to join a rideshare service and take callouts in the regions.

Under the current scheme, drivers who wanted to operate both in Adelaide and the Hills, or any other regional area, would have to buy an additional licence.

Metro and regional licences each cost $73.20.

An Uber spokeswoman said existing requirements were not workable.

“We want to see South Australians in the Adelaide Hills, Barossa and McLaren Vale have the same opportunities to choose rideshare as people in Adelaide,” she said.

She said it was administratively impractical for rideshare services to have to deal with separate licensing schemes.

“Requiring drivers to undertake the cost and burden of two accreditation processes within the one state is also not a feasible, long-term solution that would see the convenience, safety and reliability of rideshare made available for more South Australians,” she said.

The controversial rules have left a bitter taste among Hills locals and business owners, including Inglewood Inn venue manager Milly Howell.

She said a lack of transport options in the Hills was putting pressure on hospitality venues.

Ms Howell said many customers did not realise that rideshare services were not an option and that getting a taxi could often take hours.

“I quite often have to drive people home because I can’t just leave them there,” she said.

“Even my Dad had to come over at 1am to pick up people because their cab hadn’t rocked up, so it’s having a major impact on all of us.

“How are we meant to run a business when we can’t get our guests safely home?”

Inglewood Inn Venue Manager Milly Howell is calling on the State Government to step up its game to make rideshare a reality in the Adelaide Hills. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Ms Howell is concerned that it will put guests off coming, or encourage them to risk drink-driving.

Applewood Distillery cellar door manager Mitch Gauvin said many of their customers, especially those visiting from interstate, were unaware that catching an Uber in the Hills was not an option.

“We get a fair few (Uber) requests from our customers,” he said. “So, it would be nice to have that option for our customers so that they can enjoy their time in the Hills to the extent that they wish to.”

Transport Minister Corey Wingard said the requirement for a separate regional licence was under review.

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