Uber launches rideshare in Northeastern Ontario
Today, Uber officially launched its ridesharing platform across Northeastern Ontario, becoming the first operator to go live under Ontario's new Provincial Rideshare Framework. Residents and visitors in communities from Gravenhurst to Cochrane—including Muskoka, North Bay, Timmins, and Greater Sudbury—now have a reliable and convenient transportation option at the touch of a button.
In over 700 municipalities across Canada and more than 10,000 cities globally, people rely on the Uber app to connect with transportation options whenever they need them. Whether it's a trip to a medical appointment, getting to work on time, or finding a ride home after a night out, the app helps connect riders with local independent drivers.
"Northeastern Ontario has been asking for reliable rideshare access for years, and today that becomes a reality," said Laura Miller, Head of Public Policy and Communications, Uber Canada. "This launch shows that a consistent, province-wide approach to rideshare regulation can work, giving residents and visitors a safe, affordable way to get around, and giving local drivers a flexible way to earn on their own schedule."
Uber is proud to have the support of community organizations including the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, MADD Canada, Hope Air, and Destination Northern Ontario.
“Our government launched the Provincial Rideshare Pilot to expand transportation options and make it easier for rideshare services to operate across Northern Ontario,” said the Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation. “Uber’s expansion across northeastern Ontario marks an important step forward in the growth of rideshare services across the province, giving residents and visitors another safe and reliable option to get where they need to go while creating new opportunities for local drivers and supporting economic growth in communities throughout the region.”
"Greater Sudbury is a big city, and being able to get around it matters," said Paul Lefebvre, Mayor of Greater Sudbury. "Uber’s welcomed arrival gives residents and visitors another choice and is another sign of the growing range of services available in our community."
"For a growing regional hub like Greater Sudbury, reliable transportation is essential to connecting people to the places and opportunities that drive our economy," said Marie Litalien, President and CEO, Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce. "The arrival of a new ridesharing option will expand access to safe, reliable and flexible transportation, strengthening connectivity, supporting local businesses and tourism, and contributing to a more connected and accessible community for residents and visitors."
"MADD Canada welcomes the expansion of ridesharing services like Uber across Northeastern Ontario," said Steve Sullivan, CEO of MADD Canada. "Every community deserves access to a safe way home, and that shouldn't depend on where you live. More regulated and reliable transportation options makes it easier for people to plan ahead and choose a sober ride home. Every impaired driving crash is preventable, and providing more transportation choices is an important step toward safer roads, saving lives and preventing injuries."
"All Canadians deserve access to vital healthcare, regardless of where they live or the distance required to travel," said Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer, Hope Air. "Hope Air is proud to partner nationally with Uber to help bridge transportation gaps for patients in transit. The expansion of Uber across Northeastern Ontario is an exciting development that will give families throughout Northern communities more convenient travel options and make everyday travel easier for those who need it most."
Rideshare trip requests will be available across the entire zone, with service availability ramping up over the coming weeks as more independent drivers sign up and complete the account activation process. Interested qualified drivers can visit drive.uber.com to learn more about signing up to gain access to the app.
New drivers who complete their profile and take ten trips within their first 28 days in the launch zone may be eligible for up to $200 in additional promotional earnings. We’re excited to welcome riders across the region to Uber. As the service gets up and running, we expect availability to continue to grow as more drivers hit the road and more local riders begin using the app.
Ontario’s Northeastern Ontario Rideshare Framework is the first step towards a more consistent, province-wide approach to rideshare regulation that can improve transportation access in Northern and underserved communities while maintaining strong safety measures for riders and drivers. Uber submitted its application earlier this year and received approval to operate under the framework this summer.