Uber has launched its ride-sharing platform Northeastern Ontario.
In a press release, the company said this makes it the first operator to go live under Ontario’s new Provincial Rideshare Framework that was introduced in May. This means that it will connect with the Northlander passenger train route between Toronto, Timmins, and Cochrane that was cancelled in 2012 but is set to be reinstated later this year.
Now, those in dozens of communities, including Muskoka, North Bay, Timmins, and Greater Sudbury, can hail a ride through Uber. Speaking to CBC News, Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre welcomed the Uber expansion, noting that it could cover areas of the large city that aren’t served by existing transit and taxi services.
As part of its Canadian charity efforts, Uber says it’s also partnered with local organizations like the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, MADD Canada, Hope Air, and Destination Northern Ontario.
While ride-share requests are now available across the entire Northeastern Ontario zone, Uber notes that service availability will be “ramping up over the coming weeks as more independent drivers sign up and complete the account activation process.”
To that point, Uber says qualified drivers who are interested in working for the company can visit its website to learn more about signing up. The company says new drivers who complete their profile and take ten trips within their first 28 days in this launch zone “may be eligible for up to $200 in additional promotional earnings.”
Image credit: Shutterstock
Source: Uber
