A new ride-hailing service called Hopp has entered the Toronto market with a promise of a better deal and more safety features for both drivers and passengers.
The service is backed by Bolt, a European mobility company operating in 50 countries, and will now be available in Toronto, Mississauga, Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill, with plans for expansion.
“Canada's ride-hailing market holds significant untapped potential, offering opportunities for innovation and competition," David Riggs, Hopp's Canadian general manager said in a release.
He said lack of competition has resulted in fewer choices and less favourable conditions for both drivers and customers.
The firm said it charges a commission rate of 15 per cent or lower, meaning drivers in Toronto and the GTA can keep more of their earnings while rides remain affordably priced for customers. This will address "long-standing inequities" in the marketplace, per Hopp.
The company said the app was built with rider and driver safety as a top priority, touting its dedicated in-house safety team.
Hopp will 'unmatch' riders from drivers they dislike
In addition to standard safety measures like rider and driver profile photos, driver background checks, 24/7 customer support and real-time ride tracking, Hopp will equip users with the ability to share their location in real-time to allow others to track the ride live.
The app will also offer rider/driver "unmatching." If you rate a trip with one star, the app automatically unmatches you from that driver for future requests.
Other features include a "ride check" that enables Hopp’s safety team to engage with riders and drivers in-app when a vehicle remains still for too long, unexpectedly changes route or if the trip takes longer than expected to finish.
Another feature allows riders and drivers to add names and phone numbers of friends or relatives to a list of trusted contacts on their account, which the safety team will be able to get in touch with if the account holder can’t be reached.
The Hopp app can be downloaded on the Apple and Google Play stores.
A recent study found almost a quarter of a million trips are taken in vehicles for hire in Toronto every day, provided by 26,300 cars. Ride-share vehicles make up just over 14 per cent of all vehicles in the downtown core.
There are currently more than 80,000 licensed ride-share drivers in Toronto.
Hopp has hired lobbyists from Rubicon Strategy to advocate for it at city hall.
— with files from Patrick Cain
