Uber has announced it will temporarily shelve plans to come to regional towns, in light of the coronavirus pandemic, saying it is putting community safety first for regional NSW.
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"Following recent announcements from the National Cabinet, as well as the clear advice from health authorities around the need to do all we can to limit the spread of COVID-19, we are temporarily pausing plans to launch the Uber app across all of regional NSW," Uber Australia general manager Dom Taylor said.
"This wasn't an easy decision to make, but the health and safety of our community comes first."
Mr Taylor said once the pandemic passed, Uber would still be coming to the regional areas.
"With pubs, restaurants and clubs closed, cases of COVID-19 reported in regional areas, and the community advised to limit all non-essential travel, it is clear that we're facing an unprecedented time," he said.
"We've already begun reaching out to individuals who had signed up, or were in the process of signing up, to drive with the Uber app to let them know that we'll still be coming once this national crisis has passed.
Uber announced earlier in March they would begin operation in Parkes, Forbes, Cowra and Young, and surrounding towns as early as April, while calling on drivers to sign up to the ride-share initiative.
When announcing the expansion to their business Mr Taylor said they had brought forward plans to expand across the state to help fire and drought-affected regions get back on their feet.
The company is already operating in Bathurst and Orange.
Uber's first regional NSW location was Newcastle in 2016.
It was then launched in Bathurst, Orange, Wagga Wagga, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Tamworth in 2018.
