Uber expands to Sudbury, much of northeastern Ontario

Uber launches rideshare service across northeastern Ontario

Uber officially launched its rideshare service across northeastern Ontario on Monday, becoming the first operator to go live under Ontario's new Provincial Rideshare Framework. The service covers 79 communities between Gravenhurst and Cochrane, including North Bay, Timmins, and the Greater Sudbury Area, according to BayToday and The North Bay Nugget.

The launch comes as Ontario's Provincial Rideshare Framework — a one-year pilot program that began May 19, 2026 — takes effect. The framework is designed to provide a consistent set of provincial requirements for safety, insurance, and driver screening, and to improve transportation access in Northern and underserved communities.

According to The North Bay Nugget, Uber submitted its application earlier this year and received approval to operate under the framework this summer. The launch is also tied to the return of the Northlander train, with Ontario creating requirements to support rideshare growth in some northern communities and help connect riders to the train.

Laura Miller, head of Public Policy and Communications for Uber Canada, said in a release that "ridesharing is an important part of the transportation mix, especially in northern and rural communities where people need more options to get where they need to go safely and reliably." She added that with "one clear, strong set of provincial requirements," Uber is "thrilled to launch" across the region, giving residents and visitors another way to get around and local drivers a flexible way to earn.

Miller told BayToday that several North Bay trips have already been requested since the launch. She explained that interested local drivers had to undergo a criminal background check, have their driver abstract reviewed, complete a vehicle inspection, and finish a training program. "Once we felt that we had a sufficient number of drivers who were ready to go, we were able to launch the app," she said.

Safety features and driver incentives

Uber highlighted safety features built into its app, including in-app audio recordings that are encrypted on the user's phone and can be attached to trip reports, as well as a "share my trip" function that can be turned on automatically after 9 p.m. to let a contact track the ride. The company also offers 24-7 safety support.

Miller said riders may notice longer wait times in the early days as driver availability grows, but that availability will increase steadily in the coming weeks as more drivers are onboarded across the region. She also noted that new drivers who complete their profile and take ten trips within their first 28 days in the new zone are eligible for a $200 promotion.

Provincial regulations require rideshare drivers to use winter tires when the season changes, according to BayToday.

Miller said the company believes local residents will choose Uber for its convenience and familiarity, offering "the same experience that you might have in one of the 700 municipalities across the country that it operates in." Uber operates in more than 700 municipalities across Canada and more than 10,000 cities globally, according to the two outlets.

In a recent survey, 81 percent of Canadian riders said safety is an important reason they choose to ride with Uber, and 77 percent said options like Uber help reduce impaired driving, according to BayToday and The North Bay Nugget.

Community and official support

Ontario's Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, said the Provincial Rideshare Pilot expands transportation options and that Uber's expansion marks an important step forward, according to The North Bay Nugget.

Paul Lefebvre, Mayor of Greater Sudbury, said Uber's arrival gives residents another choice and is a sign of the growing range of services in the region.

Marie Litalien, president and CEO of the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, said the arrival of a new ride-sharing option will expand access to safe and reliable transportation and support local businesses and tourism.

Steve Sullivan, CEO of MADD Canada, welcomed the expansion of ridesharing services, saying that more regulated transportation options help prevent impaired driving crashes.

Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer of Hope Air, said the organization partners with Uber to help bridge transportation gaps for patients, and that the expansion across Northeastern Ontario will give families more convenient travel options.

Uber said it has the support of community organizations including the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, Hope Air, MADD Canada, and Destination Northern Ontario.

Not serving Sault Ste. Marie for now

For now, Uber will not serve Sault Ste. Marie, according to The North Bay Nugget. The service area currently focuses on the corridor between Gravenhurst and Cochrane, including the Greater Sudbury Area.

As the rollout continues, Uber said ride availability will depend on the number of active drivers in each community, and that availability will increase steadily in the coming weeks as more drivers are onboarded.