The first ride-sharing program in Chatham-Kent has officially launched and people have already been using it.
The municipality made the announcement Monday afternoon that Uride is up and running in the municipality. A news release issued Monday said the company received its licence to operate as a private transportation company last Friday. Uride gave its first lift to a customer on Saturday in a soft launch, which was announced through Facebook.
According to the municipality, the goal is to improve access to affordable and reliable transportation services within the urban and rural communities of CK. It added Uride’s growth in the area is a direct response to the work done by the Municipality and Council to amend local bylaws regarding vehicles for hire.
A screenshot of the app showing where the available car is on a map of the area and how long it will take to get to you (the arrow). October 1, 2018. )Photo by Greg Higgins)
“This is a great example of the success that can be achieved when we look at reducing red tape and making Chatham-Kent even friendlier for business,” said John Norton, general manager of community development. “Chatham-Kent has quality bus and taxi services, and now residents have more options with rideshare companies stepping forward.”
"We came up with a bylaw that supports companies like this to call Chatham-Kent home, as well as protect the existing taxi businesses that are here now," said Stuart McFadden, acting director of economic development for the municipality.
According to Skye Volpi, the chief operating officer of Uride, the app is currently serving customers primarily in Chatham.
“We are in the process of recruiting more drivers in the surrounding communities and rural areas of Chatham-Kent,” Volpi said. “We’re only a few days in and we’ve seen a lot of positive interest from the community. It’s been very welcoming and we appreciate both our drivers and our customers for working with us.”
Councillor Brock McGregor motioned to amend the local by-laws on ride-sharing, which passed June 18. He was also one of the first to get a lift from the app.
“The ride was a great experience," McGregor said. "From the time I opened my phone, got the app, and placed the request for a ride, it was less than 10 minutes and the driver was there at my door. It’s wonderful to have another option in town that is helping to address the transportation needs of the community and I’m glad to see a Canadian company step up to provide the service.”
The municipality wanted to remind people who need to go to medical appointments that they can use the affordable health transportation service Careline. The service is a partnership between multiple health agencies and can be accessed by calling 1-855-728-1433.
As for Uride, it can be accessed through an app on your phone and is compatible with both Apple and Android devices.