Uber launches in Lethbridge

LethbridgeHerald.com
Sept. 10, 2017
Melissa Vileneuve

Uber is ready to ride in Lethbridge. The rideshare service, which connects passengers with drivers through a smartphone app, officially launched in the city on Friday.

The first ride went to Mayor Chris Spearman and councillor Blaine Hyggen, who were driven to the Galt Museum by new Uber driver Brandon Johansen.

Lethbridge is the third city in Alberta to launch the service, after Calgary and Edmonton.

Spearman said it provides another transportation option for the citizens of Lethbridge. He also said the city welcomes opportunities for new businesses and to provide employment for citizens.

“We want people to be able to get home safely. The buses may not always be available, the taxis may not always be available and this provides another option. It’s very quick service . . .you usually have a car show up within minutes. It’s a cost-competitive option,” said Spearman. “It’s a consumer choice, but it’s an option for people who live in our city that we didn’t previously have.”

Ramit Kar, Uber’s general manager for Western Canada, said Lethbridge is the perfect city for Uber. He noted there are many post-secondary students who could benefit from the service. Students at Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge wrote a number of letters of support in favour of Uber coming to the city.

Uber first approached council about 18 months ago with intentions to launch in Lethbridge.

“City council did a really good job of making sure it was absolutely possible for us to get going as soon as we could,” said Kar. “We’re thankful for that and we’re appreciative that citizens of Lethbridge will have this as another option.”

Using Uber will be a convenient and affordable option for passengers, as well as a flexible earning opportunity for drivers, said Kar. Uber has also partnered with MADD Canada in an effort to curb drinking and driving.

Councillor Hyggen said safety was the number one priority for council.

“In looking into Uber it was really interesting to find they do background checks, the insurance is changed to reflect that, the vehicles are no more than 10 years old,” he said, noting Uber drivers are provincially regulated.
“So all of that put together really puts the safety factor in that we’ve really, really been supportive of.”

Hyggen has used the service in other cities. When you accept a ride on the app, he said, you see the person picking you up, the vehicle they are driving and the route being taken. After the ride, you can rate the driver.

Kar wouldn’t release how many drivers have already been approved for service in the city. However, he did say many wanted to sign up as soon as they heard it was being launched. Kar said they feel comfortable with the number of drivers right now, but expects demand in Lethbridge to be “through the roof.”

For Johansen, it was his first day on the job as an Uber driver. He wanted to earn a little extra money on the side in between his regular day job hours.

“It’s a way for me to get out into the community and interact with more people,” he said. There were rigorous requirements in order to be considered as an Uber driver, he explained. It began with getting a driver’s abstract, a criminal background check, and a Class 4 licence to be certified as a normal taxi.

“I had to get registration, also insurance done up,” he said. “It was quite a bit of paperwork to go through but now that it’s going, the Uber guys have been fantastic. They’ve helped each individual get set up.”

For more information on Uber, visit the website at uber.com.