Compiled by The Naracoorte News team

The state government has removed restrictions on metropolitan rideshare and chauffeur drivers, allowing them to operate statewide.

Changes were expected to be gazetted last week, with rideshare and chauffeur drivers no longer required to apply for a separate accreditation to operate outside of the metropolitan boundary.

Until now, metropolitan accredited drivers could finish a trip outside of the boundary—which extended as far north as Gawler and to Mount Barker to the east—but could not have a trip both start and end outside the boundary without an additional accreditation.

While Uber was eligible to seek an exemption to operate outside the boundary, none was ever sought.

Only country taxi operators can currently operate outside of the metropolitan boundary, but legislation is currently before parliament that, if passed, will extend these arrangements to include all taxis as part of a suite of wider changes flowing from the government’s landmark Passenger Transport Act review.

Minister for Transport Tom Koutsantonis said the removal of the restriction was a major boon for regional communities, which would be evidenced during Gather Round when it would make it easier for footy fans to get to and from SA’s footy festival.

“Our thorough and wide-ranging review recognised that current arrangements needed to adapt to better service outer-urban and regional residents, as well as to support greater tourism and access to popular regional attractions and events such as Gather Round,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

He said the changes would allow accredited drivers to operate freely without any new forms or fees.

“Similar statewide restrictions for taxi operators will also be lifted under legislation currently progressing through state parliament.

“I expect to see chauffeur and rideshare operators embrace the change and provide flexible and better services for more South Australians and our visitors. This is what operators have been calling for, and the onus is now on them to deliver.

Welcoming the announcement, shadow minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Ben Hood said this reform would give people in regional areas peace of mind but was disappointed with how the government had continually dropped the ball in getting this done.

“I’ve heard from publicans and punters alike that rideshare in places like Mount Gambier will be a huge benefit for safety,” Mr Hood said.

“We have plenty of young people leaving pubs at night and struggling to get a ride home. This reform will give people in regional areas peace of mind, but it’s disappointing the government has continually dropped the ball in getting this done.”

Member for Schubert, Ashton Hurn said the long-overdue arrival of rideshare services in regional South Australia would finally give country communities the transport options they deserved.

“This is a win for common sense and something my community and I have been pushing hard for,” Mrs Hurn said.

“We have been advocating for this long before Gather Round was locked in, and it now brings us in line with other regions like McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills, where rideshare has been operating for years.

“Transport is a big issue in the Barossa—not just for locals, but for tourists too. We want people to get out and explore all of what makes our region so fantastic and to do so safely.

“I look forward to seeing rideshare companies embrace this opportunity in our world-renowned region,” she said.

This article appeare in The Naracoorte News, 5 March 2025.