City checking into 'Uber for snow-clearing'

Winnipegsun.com
April 18, 2016

City of Winnipeg staff will explore the idea of an Uber-like addition to snow-clearing.

Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona) believes the city should start a pilot project to test out an app that allows smaller contractors to help clear residential streets and sidewalks at the city’s request.

"You can allow for small operators, small business to bid," Wyatt told the city's innovation committee Monday. "It's happening in the private realm ... I've looked into the insurance and it's not that expensive."

Wyatt hopes a pilot project could run in one Winnipeg neighbourhood or area to determine the idea’s merit.

The innovation committee agreed it's worth checking into on Monday, ordering a public service report back on the idea within 90 days.

However, the city's public works chair Janice Lukes has previously warned that current snow-clearing contracts may not allow for the change.