A ride-sharing service that provides private passenger vehicles for hire is looking to expand to the Thunder Bay market. Ottawa-based oRide currently operates in the nation's capital, and is in the process of launching its service in Sudbury.

A ride-sharing service offering lower rates and private passenger vehicles for hire is looking to expand to the Thunder Bay market.

Ottawa-based oRide currently operates in the nation's capital, and is in the process of launching its service in Sudbury.

Spokesperson Roy MacEwen told tbnewswatch.com that company officials hope to travel to Thunder Bay in the new year to evaluate the public's response to the idea "before taking it to the next level."

MacEwen called ride-sharing the way of the future.

"And it's going to show up on everybody's doorstep."

He described it as a car service in which customers use a smart-phone app to arrange a ride, usually in a privately-owned vehicle but in some cases in a taxi. Private vehicles, MacEwen said, are owned, licensed and insured by independent contractors.

"Our drivers are screened, as required by city by-laws, and undergo criminal record checks."

No cash is exchanged, as all financial transactions are done electronically.

MacEwen said oRide is targeting a new client base by acting as a hybrid between taxi companies and the new, popular ride-sharing apps. "Residents have access to a bigger fleet of vehicles, thereby reducing wait times. (And) with taxi companies taking advantage of our app, the driver has the option of accepting an oRide client fare," thereby generating more income for the taxi firms.

But MacEwen noted that oRide's lower rates will appeal to people who generally wouldn't use a taxi, such as students and seniors, because of the cost of the fare. Since launching in Ottawa last summer, he said, oRide has signed up 150 independent drivers and serves 500 clients a month.

It also has an exclusive arrangement with one of the larger taxi firms in the capital.

MacEwen said he hopes Thunder Bay city council would approve a ride-sharing bylaw, but added that the company has not yet been in contact with city officials.

Besides improving transportation services for the public, he said, "Ride-sharing increases the local economy by giving back a minimum of 85 cents for every dollar spent, and creates jobs."

Information on the company's website shows that oRide deducts a fee of 15 per cent of a driver's earnings.