Ride sharing company ReRyde is advertising to hire drivers for Brandon and plans service for a host of other Manitoba cities as part of expanding their operations within the province beyond Winnipeg.
ReRyde’s website section for Manitoba indicates that service is also coming soon to Steinbach, Thompson, Winkler, Morden, Dauphin and Portage la Prairie. Via quote in today’s Brandon Sun the service hopes to be operational in Brandon within a month or two pending the driver background check process. Brandon’s Taxi By-law however as-now does not have provisions for ride-sharing businesses. A City of Brandon spokesperson has indicated to me this morning that there's intent for the matter of ride-sharing services and applicable by-law to be brought before Council this fall.
On its website, ReRyde self-describes its app as giving you the opportunity to connect with drivers in your area either by detecting your location or by specifying an alternate address for pickup. Payments are made cashless via a credit card maintained on one’s account. The app includes a driver and rider rating system and safety features said to include verified drivers via background checks, real-time tracking and the ability to share trip details with friends and family. Driver and vehicle photos are shown to ensure you are getting service from who you intended.
Another company in the industry indicated to me during the spring that if Brandon City Council were to permit ride sharing in the city they would also look at entering the market.
Updated: Aug 7, 9:52am. Updated to reflect City of Brandon comment