According to recent data, 38,000 unique users in HRM opened the Uber app between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, despite the fact the service is not available in Halifax

Uber Canada's public policy manager says recent data shows there is demand to offer the ridesharing service in Halifax.

Chris Schafer said Halifax is an ideal city to offer Uber.

Earlier this month, the city launched a survey asking residents to give their thoughts on the taxi industry and whether they'd be interested in ride sharing services like Uber or Lyft.

That's ruffled the feathers of many within the taxi industry, who have said the company is not welcome or wanted in Halifax.

Schafer said it's nothing Uber hasn't seen before.

"When you give people new choices, different ways of moving in and around the city, the overall pie grows," he said. "In Mississauga for example, taxi trips actually increased during the time Uber was present in that city."

According to recent data, 38,000 unique users in HRM opened the Uber app between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, despite the fact the service is not available in Halifax.

Schafer said the company will wait for the results of the municipality's taxi survey and hopes to continue the conversation around bring Uber to HRM.