Uber to Pay Canadians to Ditch their Cars for a Month

Uber has announced the launch of the “One Less Car” trial in Canada, which wants Canadians to reduce their reliance on their car while using alternative transportation methods instead. Uber says there are over 26 million private cars on the roads in Canada.

The trial is seeking 40 residents from Toronto and Vancouver to give up their cars for a month and document their experiences. Participants will be provided with up to $1,300 to use on alternative transportation methods booked through the Uber app. The One Less Car trial will also seek 135 participants in the United States.

The trial period will run from July 22 to August 25, and applications are open until July 7.

Alternative transportation options through the Uber app, including public transit, car rentals, rideshares, and car-free options like Lime e-bikes and e-scooters will be made availalbe.

The trial will be conducted in partnership with the Behavioural Insights Team, a third-party firm specializing in behavioural insights. Participants will have to share their experiences from this test.

Participants will receive a stipend of up to $1,300 CAD from Uber, distributed as follows:

• $525 in Uber Cash for Uber Rides and Lime e-bikes/scooters (booked in the Uber app)
• $250 voucher for Uber car rentals
• $525 for other transportation modes, such as public transit
• A free one-month Uber One membership (5% Uber Cash on eligible rides and $0 delivery fees on eligible food and groceries)

In Vancouver, participants will receive $650 in Uber Cash and $400 for other transportation modes, such as public transit.

In 2023, Uber conducted a similar trial in Australia with 58 participants. The findings showed a significant shift from car use to alternative transport methods: walking increased by 75%, becoming the primary replacement for personal car use, and cycling and rideshare usage increased four to five times.

“These trials are changing the way people think about car ownership and will signal to cities in Canada that there’s an opportunity to create less congested, greener, and more livable spaces,” said an Uber spokesperson to iPhone in Canada in a statement.

The “One Less Car” trial is part of Uber’s broader mission to reimagine transportation, focusing on a future where mobility is shared, electric, multi-modal, and occasionally car-free it said.