https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxFMFVuDXdY
Y Drive ride share service was officially welcomed in Port Hope on Monday, August 19, 2024.
Councillor Adam Pearson said Y Drive says is Canada’s premier ride share service and Monday marked a year’s worth of dedication and effort involving the mayor, council, business owners and the community.
Pearson said it is a “amazing program” for Port Hope and acknowledge the “invaluable work” of Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky has done bringing the new transportation option to the community.
“This is amazing thing for Port Hope. This is bringing ride share to our community.”
Pearson said the app will show your current location and the person can type in where they want to go, or just click the location.
Whatever drivers are available at that time the app will show you along with options for the vehicle you want and the cost of the ride.
MP Philip Lawrence said it was “fantastic” to have the program in Port Hope.
Business owner Jessica Dodd was said the program is great for the community and a lot of businesses.
“As a restaurant owner it’s great to have the service where people can come out and enjoy themselves and get a safe ride home.”
Dodd said for even some of her staff who don’t have vehicles it will help.
“They rely on municipal buses so this will allow them to work a few hours later and get a ride home.”
Co-owner of Y Drive, Rob Davidson said the ride share program is across seven communities with the addition of Port Hope and Cobourg with approximately 250 drivers.
“In Port Hope and Cobourg you can get rides pretty much anywhere as long as you’re starting in Port Hope or Cobourg or the space in between them.”
Vehicles vary from smaller vehicles available for four people up to a mini van or a three row SUV which can fit up to six passengers.
“Both communities (Cobourg and Port Hope) came to us and said, “hey, we need a solution. We’ve heard some good things about you.”
Even at that point Davidson said they were hesitant because of “push-back” in other communities.
But he said both communities have been “phenomenal.”
“They’ve gone to bat. They’ve made the changes that were necessary.”
The ride share is open 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
