The ride share program Uride has officially announced that it will be coming to North Bay this summer.
“We’re so impressed by the motivation and support you have shown in your efforts to bring ridesharing to your community,” stated a new Uride North Bay Facebook post.
Anthony Campigotto has been spearheading the local ride share movement that has gained a lot of local momentum since he first created a ride share Facebook page about a month ago.
“There were those who doubted, those who said it would never happen, that North Bay was not ready,” he said via social media.
“Yet just four weeks after we started this discussion, we find ourselves with a rideshare company now recruiting drivers in our community.”
Campigotto says Uride officials even made a visit recently with city officials about the new ride share business.
“Last week some members of council, the mayor, and I all had different opportunities to sit down and chat with Skye Volpi, the C.O.O. of Uride. Mayor McDonald told him that North Bay is open and accepting of any new business that comes to town and Councillor Tignanelli even gave Skye a personal tour around our city.
“Skye was very excited to get rideshare going in North Bay so I am not surprised that they have already started recruiting drivers in North Bay.”
The ride share initiative got a shot in the arm earlier in April when the North Bay Police Service admitted they do not have the ability at the current time to stop a ride share program coming to the city. The Police Board manages the taxi licenses in the city and currently, a consultant is working with the board to create an updated taxi license bylaw which would also include ride share services.
See related: Police Board looking at new ride share bylaw
See related: City Staff preparing report on ride sharing in North Bay
North Bay city councillor Mike Anthony has shown support for the new service.
“This is a big positive,” he stated via social media.
“Uride is taking first steps to secure ride share drivers in North Bay. Many people don't know that they can legally startup in the city like any other business (without any council input). I'm glad council directed our staff to do a little extra work to see how this can best work here, alongside existing cab companies.
“But it's progress for the community, and that's positive.”
Campigotto believes ride share is a huge win for the city.
“It shows that we are a city that is capable and interested in embracing change,” he said.
“I commend the work and support of council, the mayor, and all the locals who believed in this on our Facebook page and beyond. I think we are making North Bay a better place to live."
