Ridesharing giant Uber has reached a $178 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit with taxi and hire car drivers in Australia. The lawsuit, filed by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers on behalf of over 8,000 taxi and hire car owners and drivers in 2019, has been deemed one of the most successful legal actions taken against Uber.
Michael Donelly, Principal at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, stated that Uber had initially resisted providing any form of remedy or compensation for the losses suffered by the group members. However, Uber has been making significant contributions to state-level taxi compensation schemes since 2018.
According to the company, the settlement marks the end of legacy issues with Uber. Uber also highlighted that ridesharing regulations were nonexistent when the company was first established over a decade ago. Now, Uber operates under regulations in every state and territory in Australia.
The rise of ridesharing has significantly impacted Australia’s point-to-point transport industry, offering consumers greater choice and improved experiences while creating new earning opportunities for Australian workers. Despite the legal battles, Uber remains committed to providing safe, affordable, and reliable transportation services for its users in Australia.
This settlement reflects a turning point for Uber in Australia as it seeks to move past legal challenges and focus on delivering innovative transportation solutions for the Australian market.
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