Interest in Chatham-Kent from ride-sharing companies appears to be gaining momentum.
A Thunder Bay-based company called Uride recently shared a post on social media stating their intention of coming to the community. This comes shortly after another company, GoDrivR stated its intentions of becoming operational "fairly soon".
Cody Ruberto, founder and CEO of Uride, says he started the company after noticing a need for late night rides.
"The community embraced it. So many people got behind us, we got an incredible team of drivers that came on board," he says. "Everyone just got behind this idea to help drive it forward."
Ruberto says they're using the same business model implemented in Thunder Bay and expanding it across the country. For now, Uride has two locations with the other being in Dryden, Ontario. The app is very similar to Uber, where a vehicle is requested through an app, an estimate is given, and occupants can see a map on their phone of the entire route. Ruberto says customers will also get a receipt at the end of the ride.
"I spoke to some people in the community (Chatham-Kent) and they told me about some of the issues and the lack of transportation," he says. "We really wanted to come in and just do our best to make a difference and help improve transportation."
Ruberto says they're aiming to have 50 drivers to start, from there they can add more if needed. Those interested in becoming a driver are encouraged to contact Uride either through social media or their website.
"You have to have a clean background check, you have to have a clean drivers abstract as well," he says. "There's some other criteria just based on the vehicle."
The goal is to have drivers out on the roads before September 1. However, Roberto says it depends on how many drivers they're able to hire right away.
"We're going to do our absolute best to provide reliable, safe, affordable rides to the people of Chatham-Kent," says Ruberto.
Nancy Havens, manager of licensing services for the municipality, has confirmed that Uride has started the application process for a private transportation company licence in Chatham-Kent.
-With files from Greg Higgins.