Cody Ruberto’s goal is to end impaired driving across Canada.

And he says rideshare programs aim to do just that.

The founder and CEO of URIDE will be watching city council closely Monday, hoping that they pass an amended bylaw which will allow rideshare programs to operate in Sault Ste. Marie.

Ruberto started URIDE in Thunder Bay in 2017. The rideshare program has since expanded to North Bay, Sudbury, Chatham-Kent and Winnipeg and he hopes to branch out farther to smaller cities that need better transportation options.

He’s already spoken to the city solicitor Karen Fields on how rideshare programs operate and what the needs are for a company like his.

“As soon as I started the company in Thunder Bay there were people from Sault Ste. Marie, students at school, who raised an interest in the program and said it was something that Sault needed,” Ruberto said in a telephone interview.

“Sault Ste. Marie has been on our list for a long time. People have reached out about the need for a program like this and we’d love to set one up,” he said.

Ruberto said URIDE is a viable, inexpensive option that eliminates long waits for those who need rides.

He said he’s looking forward to seeing the results from Monday’s council meeting and the approved bylaw.

A smartphone app only needs two clicks to order a ride. The passenger can track the car as it approaches and the cell phone will ring when the driver reaches the pick-up location so passengers can wait inside and don’t have to face inclement weather elements, he said.

Payment for the ride is always with a linked credit card and receipts are emailed to the passenger.

“It’s very simple and easy to use and we find that it is an alternative that’s really needed in some smaller cities like the Sault,” Ruberto said.

City council will be asked Monday to approve the bylaw which will formally permit rideshare companies to establish in Sault Ste. Marie.

They will be subject to the same licencing fees as taxis, limos and shuttle buses. Drivers will be charged an initial $40 fees with $25 renewals, vehicles $100 initially with $50 renewal rates and companies $400 fees which includes one vehicle and a $100 renewal fee.

The bylaw will also address unique insurance provisions, obligations equivalent to other vehicles for hire groups and safety.

If passed by council, the bylaw will be reviewed annually to determine if any adjustments need to be made to the program.

Ward 3 Coun. Matthew Shoemaker said he’s pleased the bylaw is being presented to council.

Shoemaker was one of the original councillors who asked the city to examine provisions that will allow for rideshare programs, dating back as early as 2016.

“With the recent announcement that Cruise Cabs is closing, the city’s situation is only deteriorating so if a rideshare program establishes here, then that’s a good thing for residents,” he said.