Our Submission on the Proposed Northern Ontario Rideshare Pilot

General Comments:

The Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce supports the proposed Northern Rideshare Pilot as a practical step towards improving mobility, last-mile connectivity, and access to the Northlander corridor for residents, visitors, workers, and businesses. We have long viewed consistent rideshare rules as an advocacy priority, particularly for smaller and more seasonal communities where transportation gaps can directly affect labour access, visitor movement, and business activity.

We also support the Province’s intent to use the pilot to test a more consistent framework that could inform broader rideshare policy in Ontario. The ultimate goal of a rideshare framework should be to expand province-wide and we believe that a pilot covering Northern Ontario more broadly would give stronger data for decision making while also ensuring if someone requests rideshare it does not result in unintended one-way trips. 

How might a provincial Rideshare Pilot impact transportation connectivity, mobility, and existing transportation services (e.g., taxi services) in your community?

A provincial rideshare pilot could improve transportation connectivity by making it easier for residents and visitors to access train stations, services, jobs, health care, and tourism destinations. 

We also believe this will have a positive impact by making in-bound transportation options like the Northlander train, Air Canada ground service, the Muskoka Airport and shuttle services a more appealing option. 

Increased competition will also encourage existing taxi services to innovate and improve their offerings to remain competitive in the new landscape. 

What impacts - positive or negative - do you anticipate the Pilot would have on your community?

The positive impacts would likely include better mobility, improved access for travellers connecting to the Northlander, stronger support for tourism and local spending, more transportation options for people without a private vehicle, and a practical way to reduce impaired driving by giving people a safer alternative after evenings out. It could also create more flexible earning opportunities for drivers and help local bars and restaurants by making it easier for patrons to visit, stay longer, and get home safely.

What should the province consider in terms of implementation timing?

Implementation timing should allow enough transition time for municipalities, operators, and drivers to adjust, but the rollout should move quickly enough to be in place before the Northlander begins service. This would give operators and municipalities time to prepare while also ensuring the public knows what transportation options will be available from day one. Having the framework ready ahead of launch would help support trip planning, awareness, and the overall value of the rail investment.

What impacts - positive or negative - do you anticipate the proposed requirements would have on rideshare operations along the Northlander corridor?

The proposed requirements would likely improve safety, consistency, and consumer confidence, which is especially important in rural and northern communities where travellers may be more dependent on the service.

Are there any specific requirements not included in the table of proposed operator requirements that you believe should be included as a requirement? Similarly, are there any requirements included in the table that you believe should not be required?

We support core safety and accountability requirements such as driver screening, insurance, visible vehicle identification, trip receipts, complaint mechanisms, and basic training. The Province should be cautious about requirements that may be unnecessarily restrictive in lower-volume markets, particularly, fees that could make it uneconomic for smaller or part-time drivers to participate.

A few considerations to strengthen the framework:

• Ensure training is practical, low-cost, and accessible online where possible.

• Avoid fee structures that discourage entry into the market before service demand has had time to grow.

To what extent do you anticipate that rideshare services will be compatible with your regional context (e.g., supply of drivers, demand for services, cellular connectivity, etc.)?

Rideshare should be broadly compatible with the Northlander corridor, but service availability will depend on driver supply, trip density, and cellular connectivity. In lower-density communities, demand may be seasonal and directional, so the market may need time to become reliably viable. This reinforces the importance of efficient timing with the pilot rollout. 

To what extent do you anticipate that a provincial regulatory regime will increase rideshare availability and uptake in communities that currently do not regulate rideshare?

A provincial regulatory regime should improve availability and uptake in places that currently lack clear rideshare rules, because consistency reduces uncertainty for operators and drivers. 

What considerations should the province keep in mind when evaluating potential future approaches to rideshare services beyond the pilot?

For broader support across Ontario, the Province should consider:

• A consistent provincial baseline.

• Practical, low-cost compliance tools for smaller operators.

• Integration with transit, intercity/regional travel, and rail connectivity.

• Periodic review so rules can evolve as the market matures.

What data and reporting requirements do you believe would be most effective to evaluate rideshare operations during the pilot and inform future policy considerations?

The most useful pilot data would include:

• Number of active drivers and vehicles by community.

• Trip volume, trip duration, and trip origin/destination patterns.

• Wait times and service availability by time of day and season.

• Cancellations and reasons for cancellations.

• Fare levels and fee structures.

• Complaint volumes, safety incidents, and resolution times.

• Accessibility-related service requests and outcomes.

• Whether rides are connecting to or from Northlander stations.

What governance, compliance, or oversight mechanisms should be tested during the pilot to assess how a future could be structured?

The pilot should test a clear provincial approval process for operators, standardized reporting, basic compliance enforcement, and a mechanism for complaints and incident review.