Uride offers free* rides to polling stations in northern Ontario on election day

An undated photo of a Uride care. (Supplied/Uride)

Uride, a Canadian rideshare company, is offering free* rides to polling stations in five northern Ontario cities on election day to help boost voter turnout.

Founded in Thunder Bay, Uride operates in 24 cities across Canada, including North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, and Thunder Bay.

*The company will cover rides up to $10 to and from polling stations.

“There’s a lot going on in Canada right now, and we want to make sure all Canadians have a chance to have their voice heard,” said Uride founder Cody Ruberto in a news release.

“Voting is one of the most important ways to do that. Whether someone doesn’t have access to a car, is on a tight budget, or just needs help—we want to help make voting as easy and accessible as possible.”

Transportation barriers are a leading reason that eligible voters – including younger adults, seniors, and lower-income residents, may not cast a ballot, according to Uride, and the company aims to remove that obstacle.

How to get the free ride

To receive a free ride, users must:

• Download the Uride app.
• Set their destination to a local polling station.
• Enter one of the following promo codes:

Those needing assistance can contact Uride by email.

“At our core, we’re not just a tech company – we’re a people company,” said Ruberto.

“And this Election Day, we’re proud to be helping Canadians show up for each other, and for their future.”

Uride, which focuses on reducing impaired driving and improving transportation access in underserved areas, also donates a portion of monthly ride proceeds to local initiatives.