Uber to launch in Halifax before the end of December

The popular ride-hailing service Uber announced Thursday morning that it intends to launch its app in Halifax before the new year. 

The company said it is in the process of finding drivers for the Halifax area, something it needs to complete before it can launch.

"We're well aware that for years Haligonians have been looking for the same type of safe reliable, affordable transportation that they have experienced in Toronto, in Ottawa, in New York and thousands of cities across the world," said Matthew Price, general manager of Uber Canada.   

Uber uses a smartphone application that connects people looking for transportation with a driver. It puts the company in direct competition with members of the taxi industry, something that has sparked outcry in places like Toronto.  

Still, some people in Halifax have complained that the taxi industry in the municipality doesn't meet people's needs and there are often long delays in getting cabs at peak times. 

Just last month, Halifax council gave ride-hailing services like Uber the green light to operate in the municipality.

Drivers wanted

Drivers will need to get criminal background checks every year, and have their identities checked with the child abuse registry, in addition to having a vulnerable persons check.

Drivers interested in working for Uber need to register and complete the sign-up process on the company's website.

They also need to provide a medical examination report in order to receive the required Class 4 licence.

"Drivers is the No. 1 priority. We're working with the city at the moment to get our municipal licence to operate, but with that in place we should be good to go," said Price.

He would not say how many drivers Uber needs before it can start operating, only that the more drivers it has the larger area the company can serve, and the better service it will be able to offer.     

Uber's app also features a one-touch emergency button that immediately connects a rider to 911. It will display on their screen identifying information about the vehicle and its exact GPS co-ordinates, which the rider can share with 911 operators.

A string of taxi drivers have been charged with sexually assaulting their passengers in Halifax in recent years. Price said the emergency feature was not specially designed with Halifax in mind, and is a feature in Uber apps worldwide as part of a suite of safety features.    

A change in regulations

Until now, it was unclear if Uber was interested in setting up in Halifax.

At the end of September, a spokesperson for the company said Halifax's rule change to allow transportation network companies like Uber to set up was a "positive step forward," but that "regulatory change is required at the provincial level as well."

Transportation Minister Lloyd Hines subsequently announced the creation of a restricted Class 4 licence for taxi and ride-hail drivers that will not require them to retake a road-and-knowledge test, although will retain other requirements such as a medical assessment.

Price said provincial regulations have now been changed, allowing Uber drivers to hit the road.  

"We wanted as streamlined a process as possible for drivers, and drivers to earn flexibly. The prior Class 4 licence, it was designed for ambulances and small-bus drivers. We're confident that the right regulation is now in place."

Uber has not given an exact date for when its service will launch in Halifax. 

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