The state government announced in December it had legalised ride-sharing services, including Uber, in NSW, meaning significant changes for the industry.

The NSW Taxi Council has kicked off a series of forums in regional centres to speak directly with taxi industry representatives, visiting Batemans Bay, Wagga Wagga and Orange last week.

Taxi council chief executive Roy Wakelin-King said the meetings had been well attended and he expected a similar turnout tonight.

Taxi service representatives from across the region are likely to travel to Tamworth for the meeting, with Mr Wakelin-King saying the council’s aim was clear.

“We hope we’re able to inform members about what’s going on and help them prepare for the future,” he said.

“(In other centres) there’s been concern obviously about the extent of the changes and the impact on their livelihoods ... and that’s not surprising.

“But the other thing that’s been encouraging is the number of members in regional centres ... who are already discussing how to address these changes and turn them into opportunities.”

In legalising ride-sharing services, the government announced a compensation package for taxi licence holders, the details of which the NSW Taxi Council is still discussing with the government, along with insurance inequities under the reforms and industrial relations issues.

Mr Wakelin-King said the industry didn’t mind the competition, but there had to be “a level playing field” for all, for the benefit of both operators and passengers.

“The most important thing in carrying out any reform process is that there’s an improved service ultimately for customers and that it’s in the public interest.”