Rideshare provider GoCatch has identified the town as the perfect site to base its first regional pilot to use this innovative technology.

“GoCatch is a rideshare platform that operates from a smartphone app," Cr Rush said. 

“In a first for regional Australia, GoCatch will give residents a viable alternative to getting home at night, offering the residents of Muswellbrook a safe and reliable option. 

“It will also mean a great opportunity for drivers to gain some extra income. 

“GoCatch pays its drivers 85 per cent of the fare, deposited straight into their bank account the day after the job.

“It allows drivers to work as much or as little as they like.”

GoCatch CEO David Holmes said Muswellbrook presented the company with a great opportunity to roll its services out to regional NSW and Australia.

“It will help meet a transport service gap identified by many residents for many years,” he said.

“GoCatch only operates in jurisdictions where it is legal to do so and promotes a culture of valuing its drivers and passengers and all drivers are required to obtain RMS Driver Authority, maintain modern vehicles, ensuring comfort and safety for customers.”

Muswellbrook Shire Council will look to work with GoCatch on developing a means by which people without access to the app will be able to make GoCatch bookings. 

“This is an example of council’s commitment to encouraging economic diversity by facilitating new businesses that will benefit the residents of Muswellbrook,” Cr Rush said.

Earlier this week, Uber told the Chronicle it had no immediate designs on the area, but a company spokesman admitted it could branch out to regional centres in the future.

“We have no current plans to launch Uber in Muswellbrook or the Upper Hunter,” the spokesman said.

“However, we know there is a huge demand for ridesharing in regional communities across NSW, particularly given many centres are currently underserved by transport.

“In places like Newcastle and the Central Coast, ridesharing is already helping alleviate pressure on the existing transport network, offering a more affordable and reliable way to get around the local area.

“We have also seen across many regional towns that having access to safe, reliable and affordable transport lowers incidences of drink driving – an issue that is particularly felt in regional communities across the country.

“So, you never say never.”

Anyone who is interested in becoming a GoCatch driver is encouraged go to www.gocatch.com/muswellbrook for more information.