Search for solutions as Uber Eats row turns ugly

THE airport may hold the key to solving the dispute between North Hobart traders and Uber drivers, says Tasmania’s first Uber driver, as tensions this week resulted in a physical altercation.

THE airport may hold the key to solving the dispute between North Hobart traders and Uber drivers, says Tasmania’s first Uber driver, as tensions this week resulted in a physical altercation.

A parking war has gradually worsened over the last few months as shop owners grow frustrated with Uber Eats drivers clogging up prime spaces and ignoring road rules.

The Mercury has been told a driver was verbally abused on Wednesday night by a trader, who also kicked and punched his car.

The 22-year-old driver, who did not want to give his name, accused one shop owner of holding his arm, striking his car and telling him he would “punch him to the ground”.

He said it was the second time he had been attacked in two weeks.

North Hobart's restaurant strip is a hot spot for Uber Eats drivers, causing parking problems for restaurant patrons and business owners in an already busy area. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

The shop owner, who the Mercury has chosen not to name, said the allegations were incorrect.

“If shooing them along and pointing to the traffic signs … is being aggressive, then we really need to look at what the word aggressive really means,” he said.

“I think their behaviour has been very aggressive and intimidating to a lot of people.”

He said he wasn’t anti-Uber, he just didn’t want them taking up public parking spots.

A still from a video of an alleged scuffle between an Uber driver and business owner in North Hobart.

The Mercury has seen a video that shows the shop owner grab the arm of the driver’s cousin that same night.

Karanbir Singh, 23, said his cousin called him after the incident and when he arrived in North Hobart the shop owner grabbed his arm and tried to take his phone.

Mr Singh said he had shown police the video.

Uber driver Hans Willink believes a queuing system could ease some of the angst in North Hobart's restaurant strip. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Police said they were called to the alleged dispute outside a North Hobart shop just before 9.30pm on Wednesday. They said no crime was committed and they were not investigating.

A nearby newsagency said he was forced to intervene in a verbal stoush on Wednesday night but he didn’t see anything physical.

He said a solution needed to be found soon, or the council was going to “have blood on their hands”.

Hans Willink, Tasmania’s first Uber driver, said Hobart airport had implemented a virtual queue zone where drivers entering the zone were allocated a number and can park anywhere within it while still keeping their position.

“If Uber were to implement a 1km virtual queue zone around the North Hobart restaurant strip there would be no incentive for Uber Eats drivers to park any closer,” he said.