Global rideshare giant Uber has struggled to fill the void of late-night transport in Western Australia's far north.
Like many remote locations across Australia, transport options in Broome, 2,000km north of Perth, are progressively limited as the evening wears on.
Buses cease at 7pm during the peak tourist season, and many taxi operators stop their service from a similar time.
While some drivers continue throughout the night, residents say they face long wait times with expensive fares.
Limited taxis operate during the night in Broome. (ABC Kimberley: Ruby Littler)
Uber was touted as a potential solution during its July launch, but those in town said the app has had little impact.
No rides available
Jenny Antonipillai recently travelled to Broome from Perth, and attempted to find a ride home from the pub.
"We tried to get a taxi or an Uber, but there's not much available out here. It's very hard," she said.
"We went on the Beam [e-scooter] and my boyfriend fell, so not a good idea."
Jenny Antonipillai says she was not able to order an Uber home from the pub, despite the app launching in Broome two months ago. (ABC Kimberley: Rachel Jackson)
Travellers Noah Clancy and Orlando Dixon said they had also had no luck with Uber and opted for e-scooters to get around.
"There was nothing available at all in the area," Mr Clancy said.
"We got taxis quite easily earlier in the day, but later at night it's a bit more trouble."
Noah Clancy and Orlando Dixon opted for the e-scooters to get around in Broome. (ABC Kimberley: Rachel Jackson)
Resident Lili Walker said she was used to long waits and expensive fares costing up to $60 for a 10-minute ride.
"It's horrible, you're sitting around on the curb for ages trying to call a taxi,"
she said.
Private operators an option
The state government increased the flexibility of taxi authorisation in 2020, resulting in a number of drivers offering a private service throughout the evening.
But their contacts are not always readily available.
Matty Arai says many people struggle to organise a taxi through automated answering services. (ABC Kimberley: Rachel Jackson)
Pub security guard Matty Arai said it was common to see patrons huddled out the front looking for a way home after close.
"There are a couple of good guys around town that will be out all the time, but then trying to pick them up is also hard," he said.
More than inconvenient
Partygoers said expensive fares, long wait times and limited options created a dangerous incentive for drink driving.
Sergeant Tony Di Giuseppe says educating the community on safe e-scooter use is a priority. (ABC Kimberley: Rachel Jackson)
But Kimberley District traffic Sergeant Tony Di Giuseppe said inconvenience did not justify breaking the law.
"I understand there are difficulties … transport, distance, everything else like that, but it's not acceptable," he said.
"It is really a scourge of our community and it's something we put a lot of effort into trying to apprehend."
Sergeant Di Giuseppe said police had been working to educate community members they were subject to the same road rules on an e-scooter as they were driving a vehicle.
Lack of drivers
Broome and Karratha were the first off the rank for Uber's regional WA expansion in July.
Broome Private Taxis owner Paul Rewell said he was not surprised the rideshare service has reportedly struggled to take-off.
"If people like our group are struggling to find drivers, Uber won't be any different," he said.
Paul Rewell says he is not surprised the app has struggled to attract drivers. (ABC Kimberley: Rachel Jackson)
Mr Rewell has been operating taxis in the town for the past six years, and said his business had trialled working throughout the evening.
Repeated incidents of damage caused by passengers has led to the decision to close after 6 or 7pm.
He said he welcomed Uber's arrival should they have enough drivers.
Uber declined to comment.
A boost to buses
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said she recognised the challenges of catching taxi services at night in remote towns.
She said the government was committed to "providing accessible and affordable" public transport for regional communities, pointing to an expansion of Broome's bus timetable put in place for this year's tourist season.
Rita Saffioti announcing the expanded bus timetable for the 2026 peak tourist season in Broome. (ABC Kimberley: Rachel Jackson)
The bus operates from 7:30am to 7pm each day, but this schedule is set to be reduced later in the month.
"Particularly in regional towns, the Public Transport Authority must consider a wide range of factors to ensure bus services best meet the needs of the community with the resources available," Ms Saffioti said.