The NSW Taxi Council needs to stop a scare campaign against illegal ride sharing services, including Uber, and make taxis more competitive, a consumer advocacy group says.
Choice rejected the claim that Uber is "no safer than hitch-hiking" and said it had missed the point, following protests from cabbies in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia this week.
"Instead of spending time trying to scare consumers away from the competition, the NSW Taxi Council should instead be focused on making its prices and services more competitive," Choice director of campaigns and communications Matt Levey said.
The industry standoff resulted in protests on Thursday with streets blocked and taxis abandoned as cab drivers protested against what they called "illegal taxi services".
NSW Taxi Council CEO Roy Wakelin-King said: "What we are looking for is a level playing field. This is a once in a generation opportunity to get this right."
Uber responded to the protests by encouraging their customers to email MPs in support of the service, ending in 10,000 messages in 12 hours according to a company spokesman.
Uber said Australians had already made their decision about Uber by shifting to the service and welcomed the government review.
"We urge them to remove any uncertainty by enshrining sensible, safety-based ride sharing regulations as quickly as possible," an Uber spokesman said.
The independent body tasked with preparing a report for the NSW government next month on ride sharing services said public opinion was important.
"We need to hear from the public," taskforce head, Professor Gary Sturgess said.
"Feedback is invaluable and will help shape our recommendations to government."
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