Uber Freight has expanded to Canada, entering the country’s $68 billion USD trucking industry. Uber says its Freight option will support domestic and cross-border loads.
“Uber is a global company with a global mindset, and the Freight business is no exception. Since the beginning, we have been dedicated to scaling our operations to enable opportunity for both Uber Freight and the shippers and carriers that keep our world moving,” said Lior Ron, Head of Uber Freight, in an issued statement to iPhone in Canada.
One of the first shipper partners is Martin Brower, a supply chain partner for multi-unit restaurants.
According to Uber, “Canada faces a severe and growing driver shortage, resulting in constrained freight capacity. These tight market conditions present uniquely complex supply chain challenges ripe for technology solutions.”
Uber has started in Ontario and Quebec domestically and also in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. Future plans call for expansion to other provinces in Canada.
The Uber Freight app—available in both English and French—lets carriers and drivers in either Canada or the U.S. book and move goods across the border.
“We are thrilled to expand to Canada, our neighbor and critical trade partner, to together unlock the massive opportunity the North American trucking market represents. With our sophisticated marketplace technology and reliable carrier base, Uber Freight is uniquely positioned to solve industry challenges, such as tight capacity, both in Canada and elsewhere at scale,” added Ron.
Uber Freight recently launched in Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. Canada is the company’s first North American expansion. Uber says the Canadian trucking industry is the “second-largest goods trading partner in the United States with $617.2 billion (USD) in total goods trade during 2018.”
The Uber Freight app is available for download on iOS and Android.
