​​Northlander Rideshare Pilot Framework 

App-based rideshare services have expanded significantly across Ontario in recent years and have become an important transportation option in many communities. Currently, municipalities, rather than the province regulate rideshare services and rules vary across Ontario. Some rideshare operators have indicated that inconsistent requirements can limit the expansion of rideshare services into rural, remote, and northern communities.

The Government of Ontario is reinstating the Northlander Passenger Train, which will carry passengers 740 kilometres between Toronto and Timmins, with a rail connection to Cochrane. This creates a unique opportunity to improve first and last-mile connectivity along the corridor, and the Ministry is proposing this pilot as a first step toward supporting that goal.

Some rideshare operators have indicated that varying requirements across municipalities have created barriers to expanding rideshare services, despite growing demand in small, rural, remote, and northern communities and among vulnerable individuals such as older Ontarians. The outcomes of the pilot may inform future policy considerations related to rideshare services in Ontario.

In order to implement consistent requirements for rideshare services, it is proposed that the pilot would:

• Set mandatory minimum requirements for operators, drivers and vehicles providing rideshare services in municipalities located between Gravenhurst station and Cochrane station along the Northlander Train corridor, reducing impacts on established rideshare services while maintaining existing frameworks that support access to the Washago, Gormley, Langstaff, and Union Station stops.
• The pilot requirements would apply instead of any existing municipal bylaws for rideshare services in the municipalities of North Bay, Temiskaming Shores, and Timmins to establish consistent requirements for rideshare services operating along the Northlander Passenger Train corridor.
• Establish reporting requirements for rideshare operators to support compliance and inform potential future province-wide oversight.  

The Ministry of Transportation is seeking feedback on a proposed pilot framework and implementation considerations on the Regulatory Registry.