Uber wants drivers as it expands further into South Gippsland

UBER has confirmed it is switching on its rideshare service in South Gippsland and is calling for local drivers to sign up before the launch.

The company announced on Thursday it would turn on in 15 regional Victorian cities, with the Leongatha zone taking in Korumburra, Inverloch and Mirboo North.

The Gippsland rollout also covers a Bairnsdale zone taking in Paynesville and Bruthen, and a combined Sale and Maffra zone including Longford and Stratford.

It means riders will be able to hail a car through the app in towns that have long relied on a handful of local taxis, V/Line coaches and lifts from family and friends.

Uber wants drivers signed up before the service goes live and has warned the onboarding process takes at least three to four weeks.

Uber Australia and New Zealand head of driver operations Daniel Lopez said Australia’s regional communities played a huge role in keeping the country moving, growing and connected.

“Now, we’re excited to back that same spirit by expanding into regional Victoria, giving locals more ways to get around and more flexible ways to earn,” Mr Lopez said.

“Driving with Uber means earning on your own terms, whether that’s supplementing an existing income, saving towards a goal, or working around other commitments.”

“Driver partners can choose when and how often they drive, giving them the flexibility to fit it around their lives.”

“We encourage anyone who’s interested to sign up as soon as possible, as the onboarding process can take at least three to four weeks.”

A sign-up offer opens on Friday August 14 giving new driver partners an extra $3000 if they complete 60 trips within 90 days of signing up.

The first $1000 unlocks after 30 trips, with terms and conditions applying.

Uber is also encouraging existing taxi drivers across regional Victoria to join the platform alongside their current work, which the company said would open up another income stream while keeping their communities moving.

Drivers get GPS tracking on every journey, the ability to share trip details with trusted contacts and 24/7 in-app support.

Uber said the expansion would give residents and visitors more ways to get around while creating flexible earning opportunities for locals, whether that meant fitting driving around other work or topping up during busy periods.

The Victorian rollout follows Uber adding driver partners from 33 new towns and cities across New South Wales and Western Australia.

Uber launched in Australia in 2012 and more than 200,000 driver partners and delivery people now earn through the platform nationally.

The company said flexibility was consistently the main reason people chose to partner with it.

The other new Victorian zones are Wangaratta, Colac, Numurkah, Castlemaine, Kyabram, Mansfield, Lakes Entrance, Portland, Swan Hill, Benalla and Hamilton.

To drive, applicants need to create an account online, upload documents including a driver licence and vehicle insurance, then arrange a vehicle inspection if their car meets the requirements for their city.

Sign-ups are at p.uber.com/VIC.