Bathurst Taxi Tucker launched on Friday evening and is a joint initiative between Bathurst Taxis and nine local eateries.

It is the first taxi-run service of its kind in Australia but there are no prizes for guessing where they got the inspiration.

Uber launched in Bathurst 12 months ago and it must have been only a matter of time before Uber Eats arrived here, too.

It may still be coming but Bathurst Taxis has blunted the possible impact by getting in first with its own service.

It's a bold move but one we hope the local community supports because anything that can even the playing field between taxis and Uber is worth celebrating.

Competition is a great thing, but it must be fair competition.

The greatest concern for people uneasy about the arrival of Uber is that it is a largely unregulated operator providing stiff competition to a heavily regulated operator in what is a reasonably small market.

Uber drivers do not have the same overheads as taxi businesses and have not paid the same exorbitant price for their plates.

They do not necessarily have the same long-term links to a community as family-run taxi businesses and Uber drivers have the flexibility to work only on the busy nights when customers are many rather than also providing a service during the slow daytime shifts when customers are few.

Uber says it is gaining a foothold in Bathurst and that local customers are enjoying the extra choice.

And the ride-sharing app's arrival in Bathurst has certainly encouraged local taxi drivers to lift their game, with cabs given a makeover, new technology rolled out and now a food delivery service on offer.

Sometimes the worst thing to happen actually proves to be the best.