MAPLETON – Council here has supported a new county taxicab bylaw that outlines laws around ride sharing.
The new bylaw allows ride sharing companies like Uber or RideCo to operate in the county.
According to a report prepared by county bylaw compliance officer Kelly-Ann Wingate, Wellington County staff identified the need for a new bylaw due to growth across the county.
“To this end, we have reviewed the existing … bylaw and would like to repeal the same and introduce a new bylaw to include vehicles for hire business and all associated amendments,” Wingate stated.
Mayor Gregg Davidson added the county has already started talking to potential ridesharing companies.
“Uber was asked if they wanted to be part of the program here and they did not, so there is another company called RideCo out of Waterloo,” he said.
That led councillor Michael Martin to ask “what is in it for Mapleton?” He questioned whether it would be of use in rural areas.
“I have got to be honest, I had a little bit of a chuckle when I read the heading … before I read this report,” he said.
“ I don’t know if you have tried to get an Uber around here. I can’t, not that I really needed it.”
Discounted rates
Davidson explained, “RideCo will be contracted by the county to provide rides to individuals throughout the county to destinations, so whether they need to go to the doctor or to the court, wherever they need to go, they can call RideCo and get a ride at a discounted rate.”
He clarified that at this point the county is putting the bylaw together and still working on an agreement with RideCo.
