A day after the ACT government announced planned changes to regulation to allow ride-sharing businesses to operate from next month, Uber said 3500 people had registered to drive.

The company is yet to say when it will begin offering rides in Canberra, but it is expected to be close to October 30.

Canberra Airport managing director Stephen Byron joined consumer groups and industry in welcoming the ACT government's plans to accommodate the booming smartphone-based business, but the moves have met with strong criticism from the taxi industry.

Mr Byron said planners designing the upgraded airport terminal had considered ride-sharing and included an air-conditioned lounge for passengers waiting to be picked up. Uber drivers will be barred from using existing taxi ranks.

"The introduction of ride-sharing provides more choice in travel options, and the reduction in taxi licence fees will encourage competition and better services to passengers," Mr Bryon said.

"Our focus is on travellers being able to move to and from the airport in the most efficient manner possible. We have long called for the expansion of taxi licences to better accommodate the needs of visitors to Canberra."

Consumer group Choice called on other states and territories to follow the ACT's lead and work with Uber, which will add "much-needed competition" into Canberra's market. Last week an investigation by the organisation found Uber was 40 per cent cheaper than taking a taxi in most instances.

"These reforms will ideally offer more choices for consumers when trying to get from A to B which are safe and competitive," Choice campaigns director Matt Levey said.

Canberra Taxi Industry Association chairman John McKeough said the taxi review was "a disgraceful exercise" that did not deliver a level playing field for taxis.

"It was called a taxi review but it wasn't that at all, it was just a vehicle to set up Uber in the ACT," he said.

"They have badly betrayed the taxi license holders and we will be seeking full compensation for the damage it does to those licenses."

Former small businessman Gary Woodbridge said he was looking forward to working as a driver to make some extra income and keep engaged with the community.

"Having recently retired, it's quite easy to just end up in your own circle of friends and that can be restrictive. As an Uber driver I will get to meet some interesting people."

The 56-year-old said he had never wanted to work as a taxi driver. He said Uber's popularity in the United States had caught his interest during a recent holiday.

"My impressions of the taxi industry is that it's over regulated and over priced, particularly in Canberra."

He plans to work between 15 and 20 hours each week and hoped to earn about $15,000 a year as a supplement to superannuation payments.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said other ride-sharing businesses could also come to Canberra in coming months.

"We certainly expect this to put significant downward pressure on fares in Canberra. The government, by slashing the regulatory fees associated with operating in the market, will be providing cash back into the pockets of drivers.

"We are not going to see this fall in taxi fares be born exclusively by drivers from their incomes."

Mr Barr expected the drop in license fees and other costs from existing transport providers would see about $2 million lost from the ACT budget over time, but benefits would include better transport options and employment.