Muskoka residents and visitors could soon have a new transportation option as Uber prepares to launch its ridesharing platform across the region this summer.
The company has received provincial approval to operate under Ontario’s new Provincial Rideshare Framework (Northlander Phase), a one-year pilot program designed to establish consistent rules for rideshare services in communities along the Northlander passenger rail corridor.
The designated Muskoka communities included in the program are the Towns of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Huntsville, along with the Townships of Georgian Bay, Lake of Bays and Muskoka Lakes.
The provincial initiative aims to improve transportation options, create safer and more consistent rideshare standards, and support connections to the return of the Northlander passenger rail service expected in summer 2026. The program will also help travellers access “first and last-mile” transportation between train stations and their final destinations.
Uber says the expansion will include more than 75 communities across northeastern Ontario, stretching from Gravenhurst to Cochrane, with the company actively recruiting drivers throughout the region.
New drivers who sign up through Uber and complete their first 10 rides within 28 days of launch will be eligible for a $200 incentive promotion.
The province says the pilot will reduce regulatory differences between municipalities while establishing minimum requirements for drivers, vehicles and operators, including safety and consumer protection standards.
The launch also comes as Muskoka prepares for increased transportation demand connected to the return of passenger rail service, offering new opportunities for visitors travelling throughout the region.
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