Petition in support of ride-sharing in Regina picks up steam

Despite being up for just about 24 hours, an online petition in support of ride-sharing in Regina has already garnered about 1,100 signatures.

The petition is being hosted by the Regina Chamber of Commerce website. On the home page, right at the top, it asks “Do you support ridesharing in Regina?” with a form to put your name in below. It says the form will be sent to Regina’s mayor and city council.

“What we thought was important, is that council hear that there is a lot of support for ride-sharing in Regina,” John Hopkins, CEO of the chamber.

He said 85 per cent of chamber members approve of ride-sharing coming to Regina.

The chamber made a presentation at a meeting of the city’s Executive Committee last week, but Hopkins said the coverage of that event made it seem like members of the taxi industry were the only ones who spoke, so he wanted to make sure city council hears those in support.

“The goal for us is that council hears from ordinary citizens that they want ride-sharing in this community and that there are other voices other than the taxi industry.”

On Monday night Regina City Council will receive a report on ride-sharing and consider a bylaw which would allow it to operate here. There will be a lot to go through at that meeting, but Mayor Michael Fougere doesn’t expect a decision on ride-sharing to be delayed.

Hopkins said members from the Chamber will “no question” be at the meeting.