Innisfil, Uber public transit partnership Canadian first
Town subsidizes Uber rides in pilot project

Simcoe.com
March 23, 2017
Rick Vanderlinde  

A woman walks along Side Road 20 two hours every day to hold down a job.

A teenage boy carries his hockey equipment along Innisfil Beach Road from Alcona to the recreation centre to make it to his game.

Those are just two real-life examples of residents who could benefit from the town’s groundbreaking public transit partnership with Uber.

“There is a small number of residents who don’t have access to a car in this town, but they are still important to this community,” planning manager Tim Cane told council March 15.

The first stage of the plan, a Canadian first, is expected to get under way May 1.

Innisfil decided to take a unique approach to public transit after studies showed the cost of a traditional bus system would be out of reach. One bus route is estimated to cost about $273,000 a year and the town would also have to purchase a bus.

Under the Uber Pool plan, taxpayers will still subsidize the system, although the cost would be less expensive at about $100,000 from May 1 to the end of the year.

Each rider will pay a flat fee to a specific location no matter how many persons are along for the ride. The town pays the rest of the cost.

For instance, a trip from Alcona to the rec centre would cost each rider $3, with the town picking up the remainder of the actual Uber charge of $9 to $12.

The first stage of the plan is considered a pilot project and could be cancelled if results aren’t favourable.

One glitch includes the high cost of some trips such as a route from Sandycove to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre at $26 to $34 per rider, with the town paying a $5 subsidy. 

“I would be the first to say this isn’t an ideal model,” Cane said.

Still, councillors are excited to see movement on a prominent election issue.

“It’s good to see us think outside of the box,” Coun. Donna Orsatti said. “Residents have been saying, enough consultants, enough studies, let’s do something.”