(Commonwealth)__Canadian ride-sharing platform Uride is introducing a new pet-friendly ride option that will make it easier and more convenient than ever to ride with pets. The new option, rolling out this week, addresses an inconsistency in the rideshare process that pet owners who use the service have complained about for years. Beginning next Wednesday, Thunder Bay riders will be able to select a “Pets” option when booking a ride in the Uride app. That will pair them with a driver who is willing to accommodate animals for a modest additional fee of $5. The pets either sit on the rider’s lap or travel in the rear seat of the vehicle, at the driver’s discretion.
The development of the feature was the result of a conversation between Uride founder and CEO Cody Ruberto and an on-a-normal-ride regular on a flight to Thunder Bay. A regular user of Uride in several cities described the frequent difficulties he faced when trying to travel with his dog. Drivers would routinely cancel booked rides after realizing that there was a pet on board, leaving the customer in an unfortunate position.
One such incident was a positive example of why reform is necessary. The passenger was unable to locate a volunteer driver after continuing a night out and slept overnight at a friend’s home. Such experiences not only discommode them (plans interrupted, mobility impaired, security for pet owners impaired) but also potentially raise concerns about safety in late-night or emergency travel scenarios.
Perceiving this underserved demand, Uride decided to do something to make its platform more inclusive. The new “Pets” feature was rapidly developed and brought to market to provide passengers with a guaranteed means of bringing along their animals while providing drivers with an opt-in for pet-friendly rides.
This new release not only improves the customer experience but also aligns with the original purpose of Uride. Begun in Thunder Bay in 2017, Uride was created to provide safe transportation in smaller towns and underserved communities and to help curb impaired driving. Since its inception, the company has expanded significantly, with 24 Canadian cities now within its operations, including North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, and Timmins.
By launching pet-friendly rides, Uride is reiterating its focus on flexibility and customer-driven innovation. The feature will reduce ride-related cancellations because of pets and provide passengers with the confidence that their pets will be welcome. It also opens up new earning opportunities for drivers who choose to offer the “Pets” service.
The initiative is a part of a broader movement in the transportation and hospitality sectors, in which personalized treatment and inclusiveness are becoming the defining features of customer service. To users who use their pets as sources of companionship or emotional support, this minor but worthwhile tweak makes Uride a more accessible and convenient app.
As the business expands, it is expected that the pet-friendly feature will spread from Thunder Bay to other Uride markets nationwide. Feedback from drivers and riders in the test city will inform the future launch and possibly trigger similar offerings in the rideshare sector as a whole. Uride’s initiative to make pet travel possible is a testament to customer-first thinking during a time when convenience and flexibility are top priorities. The initiative also raises the standard for rideshare businesses operating in mid-sized and small Canadian cities. Uride solidifies its image as an open rideshare company that is community-driven, dependable, and innovative while making sure that even the pets are not excluded.
