Ridesharing coming to Medicine Hat

The company hopes to be up and running in Medicine Hat by the start of April.

Riders can request a ride through their app. There are also no debit fees, and the ability to pay online.

The creation of 24/7 Rideshare Services comes nearly nine months after Medicine Hat city council voted unanimously to update their bylaw to allow ridesharing in the city.

Penner said during that time, the high cost of operating a taxi in the middle of the pandemic was the driving force behind getting a local ridesharing company up off the ground.

He said operating costs for taxi drivers in the city are around $1000 to $1200 a month. With 24/7 Rideshare Services, operating costs for drivers will be about a third less. That savings, he said will be transferred to the rider who will pay a lower fee.

Still, even with ridesharing in the community, Penner said there will be plenty of business left for taxies.

“We are restricted with requesting our rides through an app, and we can’t do any ride hails sitting at the bar or airport, but there is that void that needs to be filled, especially for people going to work and students,” Penner said.

The management committee of Deluxe Central Taxi told CHAT NEWS, they aren’t too worried about additional competition.

“I don’t think it will really affect our company or Care (Cabs) that much because of our faithful customers. I can’t see them changing just because there is a new company, and there will be people that just try them out because they are new I’m sure,” said management committee member Duane Fox.

That sentiment is shared by Care Cabs, who also believes they will retain business.

“A lot of what a ridesharing company is is an app, and Care Cabs has an app that people can call their cabs with. There are about 3000 people in Medicine Hat that have that on their phones and call their cabs with,” said owner of Care Cabs Paul Tunbridge.

The new ridesharing company is also hoping to dive into the food business, bringing an Uber Eats, or SkipTheDishes, type service but with a local flare.

“Our commission will be much less than the typical SkipTheDishes, the money is going to stay here in the community, and we can benefit both the drivers and the restaurants more that way,” he said

The company is working to develop a digital menu with dozens of restaurant options for people to choose from.

They are also hoping to coordinate their ridesharing and delivery services with the Town of Redcliff.

But with the launch date nearing, Penner said their biggest challenge will be recruiting drivers. They are looking to hire up to 30 drivers in the city.

“ We want experience, we want people with nice vehicles, we don’t want someone having the experience of getting into a dirty unsafe vehicle, so we are going to have some standards,” Penner said.

Drivers must have their class 1, 2, or 4 license.

Anyone interested in becoming a driver is asked to email Penner at foodrides71@gmail.com. Or stop by the office located at 410 South Railway Street.

by Tiffany Goodwein

Ridesharing coming to Medicine Hat

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