Uber rival Taxify launches ride-sharing in Sydney

Uber has a new competitor, and it's not the taxi industry.

European ride-sharing company Taxify has launched in Sydney today, bringing a network of more than 4,000 drivers and 50 percent discounts for riders to beat Uber at its own game.

Founded out of Estonia, the company says its key point of difference from the likes of Uber is that it only takes 15 percent commission from drivers ("almost half" of what it says other ride-hailing companies take) and it allows drivers to set a pick-up radius for trips, meaning they can choose the area they work.

"Drivers can expect to earn more when driving with Taxify, and riders can expect to save money at the same time," said Taxify Australia country manager Samuel Raciti.

"Our focus as a company has always been providing our drivers with higher revenue-per-ride, as we're firm in our belief that happy drivers means happy riders."

With operations in 20 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Central America, Taxify is no newcomer, but it still has a way to go to beat Uber globally. It will also need to work hard to be front of mind for people looking for a quick ride around Sydney (and to get them to delete the Uber app from their phone).

To that end, Taxify is offering riders 50 percent off their rides for the first month in a bid to get more people downloading the app (and no doubt more drivers on the road). Taxify is available from today for Sydney riders on iOS and Android.

Is a half-price ride enough to get you to switch? Let us know in the comments.

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Uber declined to comment.

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