Uber offers a free ride to and from polling stations for first-time customers

A woman leaves the headquarters of Uber in San Francisco on Dec. 16, 2014. (AP / Eric Risberg)

TORONTO - Uber is offering new users free rides to and from polling stations on Election Day in the cities where it operates.

A representative from Uber says the company will cover rides to the polling station and back again, for first-time customers only, up to $15 each way.

Uber says the offer will be available in Edmonton, Calgary, the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, London, Hamilton, the Waterloo Region, Quebec City and Montreal.

The ride-hailing app has been embroiled in controversy since it initially launched in Canada last year.

Taxi companies say it is an unfair competitor.