As the busy Christmas and summer season kicks off, Uber has announced it won’t be starting as soon as it had hoped.

Uber was hoping to start in Warrnambool this week but due to delays in vehicle inspection processes the ride-sharing service has put its launch on hold.

Uber Australia spokeswoman Megan Smith said the ride-sharing service looked forward to launching next year.

“We are working hard to bring Uber to Warrnambool locals who have been crying out for ride sharing for some time now,” she said.

“We apologise for the delay in getting our product to you and we look forward to launching in the New Year and bringing safe, affordable rides to the area.”

In late October Uber announced it would launch its ridesharing application in 15 new regional Australian cities from December. 

An Uber spokeswoman said the company was excited to bringthe service the region.

She said it “provided a another safe and affordable option for locals”.

“This also presents a great opportunity for members of the community who want to sign up to earn some extra money, while maintaining flexibility,” she said.

“With Uber, you can choose to drive when it suits you, and we hope this will be a welcome option for many.

"In our experience in other cities, we expect the app will be busiest on weekends and during major events."

More than 3.8 million Australians use the Uber app regularly to share rides.

It is expected Uber’s launch into regional areas will create another one million users.

“The message is clear - people want more options for affordable transport and we’re excited to be able to respond to that demand, with a convenient way to get around, particularly on weekends and during the holidays,” Uber said.