Will ride-sharing catch on in Regina?

CTVNews.ca
Jamie Fischer
Aug. 3, 2017

New data from Uber shows that a lack of service isn’t stopping people in Saskatchewan from trying to catch a ride.

According to the ride-share app, 15,523 people opened Uber on their smartphones in Saskatchewan between April and June.

The two most common places people tried to access the service in the Queen City was the airport and the downtown core.

Mayor Michael Fougere says he would like to see Regina get another transportation option.

“We had some conversations a few years ago when they came to Regina during the last term of council,” he said.

“They asked if we'd be interested in having Uber here, and I said ‘yes, it would be a great conversation to have.’”

Since then, the mayor said he’s had informal talks with the province about the service.

According to the Saskatchewan government, it’s up to municipalities to regulate ride-sharing. But offering the service would line up with one of the province’s recent priorities.

In a statement, the province said it and Saskatchewan Government Insurance “are looking for additional ways to curb drinking and driving in the province of Saskatchewan. The government has asked that SGI explore alternatives to increase options for Saskatchewan people.”

SGI’s regulations for ride-sharing are the same requirements for taxi services. Drivers must have a PT plate – essentially a taxi license issued by their municipality – and $1 million in liability insurance. However, SGI says it’s open to talking to municipalities about changing the regulations.

“All options are on the table,” said SGI auto fund executive vice-president Earl Cameron. “What it really comes down to is what municipalities want as far as allowing a vehicle to operate in the municipality, and then SGI as the regulator assigning the correct insurance for that risk.”

If Uber is allowed in Regina, the Queen City would join 600 other cities across the world that use the service.