Tauranga fifth NZ city to get ride-sharing service Uber, starting today

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges, here with Uber driver Sue Blincoe, was the first person to trial Uber in Tauranga last week. Photo / Andrew Warner

Ride-sharing service Uber launches in Tauranga from today with hopes of it easing the city's parking and congestion issues.

From noon today dozens of Uber drivers will be operating in Tauranga, becoming the country's fifth city to launch the ride-sharing app behind Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton, which launched on January 25.

Uber's general manager for New Zealand, Richard Menzies, said Tauranga had been "calling out" for the ride-sharing app, with more than 40,000 people from more than 79 countries having opened the app in Tauranga.

"We know Tauranga is a place that is booming with growth so Uber will play an important role in helping with parking and congestion issues and also provides a safe option in transport," Menzies said.

Uber operates an "upfront fares" scheme which means riders know the exact cost of a trip before requesting a ride and taking the trip.

Uber estimates the cost of a ride from Tauranga Airport to Tauranga CBD would be $24 and a ride from Mount Maunganui to Tauranga CBD would be about $19.

Menzies said the purpose of Uber is not about competing with taxi companies but providing real and tangible transport options for visitors and locals.

"Competition is good for everyone and good for the market but it is up to the customer to see if Uber is right them," he said.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges was the first person to trial Uber last Thursday and said he was proud to see the service launch in the city because he was the Transport Minister who helped to reform the law which allowed ride-sharing.

"There is going to be a lot more competition and service to grow the market," he said.

Bridges said Uber will provide a good solution to some of Tauranga's "crunchy" issues such as parking and congestion.

"When people get an Uber or a taxi they are not having to worry about parking and that, of course, is a real issue in places like our CBD, the Mount and other places."

He said the public should think about Uber not just as private transport but as an add-on to public transport.

"I think over time we will not only see just one person using it [Uber] but multiple people using it. When they do that, of course, it means fewer cars on the road and less congestion.

"I think it's going to be really exciting for Tauranga."

How to use the Uber app

1. Download Uber from the App or Android Store
2. Register with Uber in the app by providing a mobile phone number and credit card, debit card or PayPal details for cashless payment
3. Type in the address or name of your destination in the Where To? search box
4. Check the upfront fare estimate to ensure you're happy with the price of the fare before requesting
5. Request the trip and await pick-up from your departure location (you'll see an estimated wait time in the app)
6. Check the licence plate number, car colour and name of your driver match the details provided in the app
7. As you open the door ask the driver to confirm their first name before starting a trip
8. Enjoy your journey and safely exit the car upon your arrival
9. Give your driver a rating out of five after the trip to help keep everyone accountable (they'll do the same for you)