Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Uber has not eased Broome’s late-night transport shortage
Broome, a town in Western Australia’s far north, has few ways to get around late at night.
Buses stop running at 7pm during the busy tourist season, and many taxi operators also end service around that time.
Uber launched in Broome in July, but residents and visitors say they often cannot find a ride through the app.
Some people have turned to e-scooters, while others report long waits and fares as high as $60 for a 10-minute taxi trip.
Local taxi operators say a shortage of drivers affects their services too, so they expect Uber to face similar difficulties.
Limited transport can make it harder for people to get home safely, but police say drink driving is not acceptable and are educating people about road rules for e-scooters.
The story does not say whether Uber or local operators plan changes to improve late-night service.
Broome’s late-night transport shortage persists despite Uber’s launch in the town.
Buses stop running at 7pm during the peak tourist season, and many taxi operators end service at a similar time.
Residents and visitors report difficulty finding rides, long waits and high fares.
Some people turn to e-scooters, while police warn that transport difficulties do not excuse breaking road rules.
A local taxi operator says a shortage of drivers could also limit Uber’s ability to provide rides.
- Who
- Broome residents and visitors needing late-night transport, including Uber and taxi users.
- What
- Uber has had little impact on the town’s shortage of late-night transport.
- When
- Since Uber launched in Broome in July; the article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Broome, in Western Australia’s far north, about 2,000km north of Perth.
- Why
- Limited transport services and a lack of drivers make rides difficult to find at night.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The state government increased flexibility in taxi authorisation, after which some drivers offered private evening services.
Broome and Karratha became the first locations in Uber’s regional Western Australia expansion.
ABC Australia published a report saying Uber had made little difference to Broome’s late-night transport options.
- Bus service
- Stops at 7pm during the peak tourist season
- Distance from Perth
- About 2,000km
- Uber launch
- July
- Taxi fare
- Up to $60 for a 10-minute ride, according to resident Lili Walker
What people are saying
If people like our group are struggling to find drivers, Uber won't be any different.
I understand there are difficulties … transport, distance, everything else like that, but it's not acceptable.
We tried to get a taxi or an Uber, but there's not much available out here. It's very hard.
There was nothing available at all in the area.
Sources
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