“While we have no immediate plans to expand, we know there is demand for ridesharing across New South Wales and in areas currently underserved by local transport,” he said. 

Uber officially began in San Francisco in 2012 and has since become a mode of transport in capital cities around Australia. 

The spokesperson said the company’s ridesharing service can help alleviate pressure on existing transport networks, offering a more affordable and reliable way to get around the local area.

The company will continue looking for opportunities to bring these benefits to more parts of New South Wales in future.

Port Macquarie Taxis general manager Steve Read said he welcomes competition as long as it is on a level playing field. 

“Competition is a good thing,” he said. 

Mr Read said the taxi service has been ‘providing a door to door service’ in Port Macquarie for about 50 years. 

He said the service is ‘here to stay for the long run’. 

Mr Read said he does not believe that the ridesharing service is regulated by the government to the same standard as legislation imposed on taxi drivers. 

He said taxi drivers are required to insure their cars to a high standard and subject them to twice yearly vehicle inspections, where as ridesharing services are not tied by the same requirements.