UberPOOL Launches in Scarborough and Brampton

UberPOOL Puts More People in Fewer Cars, Easing Congestion on City Streets

TORONTO, April 12, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, Uber Canada announced the launch of its carpooling product, uberPOOL in Scarborough and Brampton.  UberPOOL enables people going the same direction at the same time to share their journey, making carpooling possible at the tap of a button.  With the launch in Scarborough and Brampton, Uber's carpooling service is now available in three municipalities in Canada: Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton.

More people in fewer cars means less congestion on our roads and cheaper rides for passengers.  Since arriving in Canada in January 2016, uberPOOL riders in Toronto have contributed to save more than 4.6 million kilometres driven, which equals to savings of 220,000 litres of fuel and a reduction of over 500,000 kgs of CO2 emissions. 

Announcing the launch, Sheldon McCormick, General Manager, Uber Ontario, said, "Today, as we launch uberPOOL, our carpooling service, in Scarborough and Brampton, people in these communities can save money when they share their rides and help reduce the congestion on our roads by putting more people in fewer vehicles."

As part of today's launch, local residents are being encouraged to connect with local transit with Uber offering a $5 flat fare on uberPOOL trips to and from the following transit stations:

• Brampton GO Station
• Mount Pleasant GO Station
• Scarborough GO Station
• Kennedy TTC Station

Uber has become a first mile/last mile complement with public transit. The American Public Transportation Association published a study last year that found that people who routinely use "shared modes" of transportation (e.g., bikesharing, carsharing, and ridesharing) were more likely to use public transit. And with companies like Uber carpooling on demand has become a reality.

Smartphone technology has made it convenient for two separate riders going the same direction at the same time to share a journey, helping cities address congestion and pollution over time. Today, approximately 20% of Uber trips in cities that offer this service are now shared between riders. In the first 7 months alone of 2016, uberPOOL took more than 500 million kilometers off the road.

Technology is changing the way people move throughout our cities and is a positive force that can work with city builders, transit authorities, and many, many more to help realize a better future for our cities. It's a future with less congestion and pollution, and more affordable and reliable transportation options for everyone -- regardless of where they live or their income.

For more information on uberPOOL in Scarborough and Brampton, visit: https://newsroom.uber.com/canada/uberpool-scarborough-brampton/

About Uber Canada

Co-founded by Canadian entrepreneur Garrett Camp in 2009, Uber is evolving the way the world moves. Present in over 40 communities in Canada, Uber has revolutionized transportation and offers more than 32,000 Canadian driver-partners a new way to earn income in their spare time by offering an affordable transportation alternative to hundreds of thousands of riders across the country. For more information, visit uber.com.

SOURCE Uber Canada Inc.

Susie Heath, Senior Communications Associate, Uber Canada, [email protected], 416-721-3660