Commonwealth_ Toronto-based Canadian ride-sharing company Uride is introducing a new pet accommodation feature to simplify and make travelling with pets more convenient. The feature rolls out this week to address a deficiency in the ride share experience that has been driving pet owners crazy who have grown accustomed to it. Starting Wednesday, Thunder Bay riders will be able to select a “Pets” option when they book a ride using the Uride app. They will then be assigned an understanding driver who is willing to take an animal on board for a small fee of $5. The pet will be able to travel either on the rider’s lap or in the back of the car, depending on what the driver prefers.
Uride founder and CEO Cody Ruberto was flying to Thunder Bay, in conversation with one of his regular customers about business, when the inspiration hit for the feature. A regular customer of his in several cities, he detailed his frustration in attempting to ride with his pet. The drivers would cancel the pickup request upon discovering it was a pet instead, putting the customer in a humiliating situation. One of the most harrowing incidents brought about the necessity to change. After a night out, the passenger was left stranded with no complying driver and had to spend the night at a friend’s place. These activities are not only inconvenient—these activities can potentially sabotage plans, restrict mobility, and pose safety issues for pet owners, particularly in late-night or emergency travel situations.
Noticing this underserved market, Uride took it upon itself to become more accommodating. The new “Pets” feature was released swiftly and launched to provide riders with a safe way of transportation with pets and provide drivers with an option to opt into pet-accepted rides. This update not only improves the consumer experience but also improves the original intention of Uride. Created in Thunder Bay in 2017, Uride began to provide safe rides within rural towns and municipalities and curb impaired driving. The company has expanded significantly since then, now serving 24 cities throughout Canada, such as North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, and Timmins.
By introducing pet-friendly rides, Uride is doubling down on flexibility and customer-facing innovation. We expect the feature to reduce pet-related cancellations and provide riders with the assurance that their pets are welcome. It also provides an additional source of earnings for drivers who are willing to accept the “Pets” service. This move is part of a broader trend in the transportation and lodging sectors toward personalisation and accommodation, as well as customer service. This little but significant adjustment makes Uride more convenient and accessible for rideshare customers who use pets as companions or assistance animals.
The pet-friendly aspect can be expected to be rolled out further as the company expands and becomes available in other markets for Uride across the country. Riders and drivers in the pilot city will provide feedback that will guide the subsequent rollout and may also influence similar aspects of the rideshare market overall.
In the age of convenience and flexibility being the utmost, Uride’s decision to encompass pet travel in its purview indicates the company’s responsiveness to customer needs. It also elevates ridesharing services in smaller and medium-sized Canadian cities to a higher level of consideration. With the addition, Uride reaffirms itself as a rideshare platform with a community-based background that attempts to remain inclusive, reliable, and innovative without ensuring even the pets are not to be left behind.
