Uber brings a different approach to Windsor

Windsorindependent.com
Nov. 30, 2015
By Jon Liedtke

Uber’s launched in Windsor, and it’s different.

I’ve been taking Vets Cabs for years. I can’t recall how many times I’ve either called, texted or told someone their number; it’s been the only option I’ve had, and it worked very well.

Know what I’ve never once gotten from Vets? A free ride, let alone a showing of gratitude for my business. I don’t expect it. But I’ve received it from Uber, and it was, well ... different.

Since Uber Canada launched in Windsor I’ve taken the service six times, in two different cities - Windsor and Toronto - and I know this because of the handy history feature of the app (hello income tax season!)

The cars which have picked me up have ranged from a new Chrysler M300, to a relatively new Acura, whereas all of my Vets rides have been Crown Vics and Minivans (nothing to really complain about); another difference, the Ubers came with free water bottles, hardly a big deal, but a nice touch.

Susie Heath, the Senior Communications Associate for Uber Canada said the organization was thrilled with the high demand in Windsor, following the concurrent rollout in Niagara and Kingston which overall saw “hundreds of drivers and thousands of riders sign up across all our new markets.”

“The launch, it went very well - we were pleased to see support from Mayor Dilkens and look forward to working collaboratively with him, city council and city officials as part of our ongoing process as we move towards a new regulatory framework that embraces ridesharing.”

Council recently voted to spend $30,000 to hire an outside consultant to study the impacts and necessary regulatory measures for Uber Canada to operate in Windsor.

Uber has seen 60 jurisdictions in North America create regulations coalescing around a “common model that creates a new category of business license for companies like Uber [dealing] mainly with public safety ... standards for background checks, insurance and vehicle inspections.”

Uber Canada has seen success in Waterloo with a new draft by-law to seeking to embrace ridesharing, in Ottawa with a report back to council in December, and in London and Toronto where both recently voted to study ridesharing with the intent of creating a regulatory framework.

Vets Cabs didn’t respond to repeated interview requests.