Restrictions on Uber and other rideshare operators lifted ahead of AFL Gather Round in the Barossa Valley

Gather Round is regional SA-bound – and so are rideshare drivers – as the government makes a huge announcement on driver restrictions.

Restrictions on metropolitan rideshare and chauffeur drivers will be lifted to allow them to operate statewide ahead of the Barossa Valley’s debut at the AFL Gather Round.

Rideshare operators, including Uber, will be permanently allowed to operate across South Australia as the state government will this week remove restrictions on drivers.

Under rules introduced in 2017, rideshare companies were only allowed beyond the metropolitan area if drivers buy an additional licence to allow them to accept ride requests from the regions.

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the move would make it easier for footy fans to travel. Picture: NewsWire / Tim Joy

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis called the move “a major boon for regional communities”.

“It will make it easier for footy fans to get to and from SA’s footy festival,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“The idea of only having a limited number of passenger transport services in these regional towns when they swell up and down, it’s silly.”

Last year, Uber petitioned for the dual licence system to be eased ahead of Gather Round 2025 in April, and said SA was the only state where the service was restricted by a border.

Metropolitan accredited drivers could finish outside the boundary, which extended as far north as Gawler and to Mt Barker in the east but could not have a trip both start and end outside the zone.

Uber drivers will be able to service areas outside the zone following the change. (AAP Image / Julian Andrews).

Uber was eligible to seek an exemption to operate outside the boundary, but this was not sought, Mr Koutsantonis said.

The removal of restrictions will be gazetted this week.

Mr Koutsantonis said he expected “chauffeur and rideshare operators embrace the change and provide flexible and better services for more South Australians and our visitors”.

“This is what operators have been calling for and the onus is now on them to deliver,” he said.

“We want taxis and Ubers to compete on an equal playing field.”

Currently only country taxi operators can facilitate trips outside of the metropolitan boundary.

However legislation is before parliament to extend the rules to include all taxis, as part of the government’s review into the Passenger Transport Act.

The state government will also provide free public transport express services for the AFL season and shuttles including from the city to Barossa Park for the Gather Round.

Originally published as Restrictions on Uber and other rideshare operators lifted ahead of AFL Gather Round in the Barossa Valley