Uber drives into Saskatoon as 1st Sask. ride-share service

Uber has officially launched in Saskatoon, making it the first ride-sharing service to start operating in Saskatchewan.

The multinational company’s smartphone app went live for the Saskatoon area around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, showing several vehicles ready to pick up customers across the city.

The move comes less than two months after Saskatoon city council approved bylaws that would allow ride-sharing companies to enter the ride-for-hire market.

Uber representatives joined MADD Canada and the provincial government at city hall Tuesday afternoon for the official launch, with Minister Responsible for SGI Joe Hargrave becoming the first ride-sharing customer in the province.

“We’re so thrilled that we have ride-share available now in Saskatoon,” Hargrave said.

“I feel strongly it’s going to help immensely in our fight against impaired driving.”

Uber’s Michael van Hemmen told reporters the company has already signed up dozens of drivers to provide rides within Saskatoon city limits, and they hope they can recruit more now that the app is active.

He noted the approval process takes about one week for new applicants.

An initial promotional email sent to previous Uber users Tuesday morning showed a service inclusion zone that encompassed communities as close as Martensville and Warman, and as far away as Outlook, Davidson and Lanigan.

However, van Hemmen said that map was from a previous, “more ambitious” plan. The company is only allowed to operate in Saskatoon for the time being, but they are in discussions with bedroom communities like Martensville on future services.

Uber allows users to order a ride using a smartphone app, inputting their destination and approving a price before their driver arrives. The app displays the matched driver’s name, photograph, vehicle make and model and their customer reviews for the user.

Likewise, the user’s photo and previous ratings from other rides are able to be viewed by the driver.

Payment is made through the app, using either a credit card, PayPal or Google/Apple Pay account.

Ride-sharing drivers must display a decal on their front and back windows indicating their company, and they can only accept rides ordered through the app – they can’t be hailed like a taxi.

Michelle Okere, MADD Canada’s regional director for Saskatchewan and Manitoba, was the first driver for Uber in Saskatoon to provide a ride.

She said the addition of ride sharing was an important step towards reducing impaired driving collisions.

“Late at night when people are leaving the bar, sometimes there aren’t enough cabs on the road, public transportation might be shut down by that time,” she said.

“This is something that really fills a need for people who have been out, maybe they’ve had a few drinks and maybe they’ve consumed drugs.”

Other ride-sharing companies, including Lyft and TappCar have expressed interest in entering the Saskatoon market.

Uber is also making plans to offer services in Regina once city councillors give final consent to bylaws governing the ride-sharing industry.