SYDNEY – Ride-sharing giant Uber has agreed to pay $178 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by over 8,000 taxi and hire car drivers in Australia. The drivers claimed they suffered financial losses due to competition from Uber’s app.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, representing the drivers, hailed the settlement as a landmark victory and one of the largest class-action settlements in Australian history.
“For five years, Uber fought against any form of compensation for our members’ losses,” said Michael Donelly, Principal at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers. “This settlement holds Uber accountable for its actions.
“Uber acknowledged past contributions to state-level taxi compensation schemes but emphasized moving forward. “Ridesharing regulations are now in place nationwide,” Uber said in a statement. “We focus on providing safe, affordable, and reliable transportation for millions of Australians.
“The settlement follows years of debate over the impact of ridesharing on the traditional taxi industry. While Uber argues it expanded the overall transportation market, taxi drivers claimed the app significantly impacted their earnings.
Philips Babatunde