Latest news with #CodyRuberto
CTV News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Canadian rideshare service now allowing passengers to ride with pets
Uride founder and CEO Cody Ruberto is shown holding his phone with the app displayed on screen and a company vehicle in the background in this undated promotional image. (Supplied/Uride) Starting July 7, pet owners across all Canadian Uride cities can now bring their furry companions along for the ride without stress, thanks to the company's newly launched 'Pets' ride option. The feature, which was fast-tracked after a heartfelt conversation between Uride's CEO and a loyal passenger, ensures a smoother experience for 'pet parents' while giving drivers the flexibility to opt in or out of accepting such requests. From flight chat to fast-tracked feature: How a passenger's struggle sparked change The idea took flight – quite literally – when Uride founder and CEO, Cody Ruberto, was travelling from Toronto to Thunder Bay last week. During the flight, he struck up a conversation with Nathan, a frequent Uride rider, who shared his recurring frustration with cancelled rides whenever he mentioned travelling with his dog. 'One night, he was left stranded after a night out because no drivers would accept his ride with his dog,' Ruberto said in a news release. 'He ended up having to crash at a friend's place. That's not the kind of experience we ever want our riders to have.' A win for pet owners: How Uride's new option works Determined to address the issue, Ruberto and his team quickly developed a solution: a dedicated pet-friendly ride option. For an additional $5 fee, riders can now request a driver who is comfortable transporting pets, ensuring fewer cancellations and a more inclusive experience. Notably, passengers travelling with service animals do not need to use this feature or pay any extra fee – they can simply book a ride as usual. Originally, the feature was set to debut only in Thunder Bay, Ont. this week, with plans to expand to other regions later. However, after seeing the immediate need for a broader solution, Uride accelerated the rollout, making the option available in all its service areas on Monday. 'We're proud to launch this feature in every single Uride city this week,' Ruberto said. 'We want Uride to be inclusive and accessible – for all riders, and for all pets. This change means fewer cancelled rides for pet owners and more choice for our drivers.' The company emphasized that pets are more than just animals – they're family – and this update reflects Uride's commitment to accommodating every member of the household. Whether a dog rides on a passenger's lap or in the back of an SUV, the company said the new feature provides peace of mind for pet owners and greater flexibility for drivers. With this nationwide rollout, Uride aims to ensure that no passenger – or their 'four-legged friend' – is ever left stranded again. Urider vehicle An undated photo of a Uride car. (Supplied/Uride) Founded in Thunder Bay in 2017 to provide reliable transportation in underserved communities and reduce impaired driving, Uride now operates in 24 cities across Canada, including North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, and Thunder Bay in northern Ontario. 'What began as a mission to prevent impaired driving has grown into a trusted transportation platform delivering millions of rides each year,' the company said. For more information on the company, its services or to book a ride, visit its website or download the Uride app.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Canadian rideshare service to allow passengers to ride with pets
Uride founder and CEO Cody Ruberto is shown holding his phone with the app displayed on screen and a company vehicle in the background in this undated promotional image. (Supplied/Uride) Uride is rolling out a new pet-friendly ride option this week after a conversation between the company's CEO and a frustrated passenger highlighted a gap in service for pet owners. 'The idea took flight – quite literally,' the company said in a news release. Starting Wednesday, riders in Thunder Bay can select a 'Pets' option when booking through the Uride app, ensuring drivers are willing to accommodate animals for an additional $5 fee. The feature allows pets to ride either on a passenger's lap or in the back of a vehicle, depending on driver preference. The idea came after Uride founder and CEO Cody Ruberto spoke with a frequent rider, Nathan, during a flight to Thunder Bay. Nathan, who has used Uride in five different cities, explained that drivers often canceled his rides upon learning he had a dog with him. 'Nathan told me he uses Uride all the time in Thunder Bay and has taken rides with us in five different cities. But he said the most frustrating part is how often his rides get canceled after he tells the driver he has a dog with him,' Ruberto said. On one occasion, Nathan was left stranded after a night out when no drivers accepted his ride request with his pet, forcing him to stay at a friend's place. 'That's a terrible experience – and one we don't want anyone else to ever go through again,' Ruberto said. 'We want Uride to be accessible for everyone – including our furry best friends. This change means fewer canceled rides for pet owners and more choice for our drivers.' Urider vehicle An undated photo of a Uride car. (Supplied/Uride) Following its debut in Thunder Bay the pet-friendly option will expand to other markets in the near future. Founded in Thunder Bay in 2017 to provide reliable transportation in underserved communities and reduce impaired driving, Uride now operates in 24 cities across Canada, including North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, and Thunder Bay in northern Ontario. For more information on the company, its services or to book a ride, visit its website or download the Uride app.
CBC
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Uber expands across B.C., challenging local taxi and ride-hailing companies in some cities
Communities across B.C. will now have access to the ride-hailing app Uber starting Wednesday, as the company expands outside Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna. While this may be promising news for some, taxi and other ride-hailing companies operating in those smaller communities are making the pitch as to why passengers should stick with them. For example, Uride, which operates in Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Penticton, Prince George, Vernon, Comox and Courtenay, started in Thunder Bay, Ont., after CEO Cody Ruberto started giving rides to folks to prevent impaired driving. It works similarly to Uber and Lyft, where customers can order a ride on an app on their phone. "It's kind of Canada's homegrown rideshare company," Ruberto told CBC's The Early Edition host Stephen Quinn. Ruberto said they get a lot of uptake in the communities in which Uride operates, and they try to focus on driver satisfaction, which, in turn, usually translates to happy customers. "If we have enough drivers in a city to meet demand and a little bit extra, there's times where we pause hiring and add more drivers as demand increases," he said. "It's critical for us to make it a great job for drivers and great service for drivers." WATCH | Uber goes provincewide: Uber is going province-wide in B.C. 16 hours ago Duration 2:05 After coming to Vancouver in 2020, Uber is finally going province-wide on Wednesday, moving into smaller regional communities like Nanaimo. While some are eager to see a new way of getting around, others, as Claire Palmer reports, are worried about the impact it may have on existing cab companies and rideshare services. He's hopeful British Columbians will apply the push to support local at the grocery store to make similar decisions when it comes to choosing a ride-hailing company. "It's sort of like the David versus Goliath, right, a $150 billion U.S. company versus the homegrown Canadian [ride-hailing] service." Mohan Kang, the president of the B.C. Taxi Association agrees. "Uber money flies over the border," he said. "The taxis, we all live in those communities. We pay taxes; we do everything a Canadian would be expected to do." Kang, who has been involved with the taxi industry for about 50 years, said taxi drivers and companies across B.C. are worried about the introduction of Uber after what they saw in Vancouver. Taxis have lost about half their business to companies like Uber and Lyft, Kang estimated. When Uber arrived in Vancouver, many drivers left taxi companies to join Uber or Lyft. "It's going to hurt small taxi companies right up to shutting them down," Kang said. He said there was never "a level playing field" in Vancouver, where taxis and ride-hailing companies had different rules and regulations around things like fleet size. Kang believes there are enough taxis in B.C. communities to serve their respective populations. "They serve the community well." The app soft-launched in Vancouver in 2012, and only a few months later, the company withdrew from the city. After a lot of drama around ride-hailing legislation and taxis fighting against ride-hailing, the company returned to Vancouver in January of 2020. Uber expanded to Victoria, Chilliwack and Kelowna in 2023. Uber's pitch In its news release, the company said driving with Uber can be a flexible way to make a living — for those with safe driving records. The company emphasized the ability to work when and where you want. Uber said it is offering a $500 incentive for eligible drivers who take 10 trips in their respective communities in the first four weeks of operating. Uber Canada general manager Michael van Hemmen said it's also a benefit to riders, as well. "[B.C.] is an expensive place to live," he said. "Owning a car is expensive … instead of owning two cars and you can have a family and get away with one car and use transit and Uber for your other rides, you're saving money." The company has partnered with community organizations, including MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), that are helping promote the service. "Keeping roads safe is a responsibility we all share — and in British Columbia, that starts with giving people better options to get home," MADD CEO Steve Sullivan said in a news release. "Whether in a big city or a smaller community, every safe ride is a step toward preventing impaired driving and protecting lives." Van Hemmen said Uber will be particularly beneficial in communities that don't have other reliable transportation options, like the SkyTrain in Vancouver.
CTV News
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Uride offers free* rides to polling stations in northern Ontario on election day
Uride, a Canadian rideshare company, is offering free* rides to polling stations in five northern Ontario cities on election day to help boost voter turnout. Founded in Thunder Bay, Uride operates in 24 cities across Canada, including North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, and Thunder Bay. *The company will cover rides up to $10 to and from polling stations. Cody Ruberto Uride founder and CEO Cody Ruberto is shown holding his phone with the app displayed on screen and a company vehicle in the background in this undated promotional image. (Supplied/Uride) 'There's a lot going on in Canada right now, and we want to make sure all Canadians have a chance to have their voice heard,' said Uride founder Cody Ruberto in a news release. 'Voting is one of the most important ways to do that. Whether someone doesn't have access to a car, is on a tight budget, or just needs help—we want to help make voting as easy and accessible as possible.' Transportation barriers are a leading reason that eligible voters – including younger adults, seniors, and lower-income residents, may not cast a ballot, according to Uride, and the company aims to remove that obstacle. How to get the free ride To receive a free ride, users must: Those needing assistance can contact Uride by email. 'At our core, we're not just a tech company – we're a people company,' said Ruberto. 'And this Election Day, we're proud to be helping Canadians show up for each other, and for their future.' Uride, which focuses on reducing impaired driving and improving transportation access in underserved areas, also donates a portion of monthly ride proceeds to local initiatives.
