Local Uber advocate Florin Marksteiner recently announced that Uber has no interest in operating in Chatham-Kent, even after his efforts over the past several months.
However, Marksteiner says the public may be able to change their minds.
“Right now we have a chance with Uber by trying to create the demand, which I urge everyone to try by downloading the app and look for rides. You won’t find any rides, but their system is going to register the demand, the rides. If they see that there’s demand in the area, maybe they’ll think [Chatham-Kent] is worth it,” says Marksteiner.
Marksteiner says he drives for Uber when he travels to London and Toronto, and advocated for them to come to Chatham because of how widely the app is used in larger cities.
He says his efforts have always been because of the gap in transportation services in the area.
“It’s not about Uber, it’s about the service. It’s about the community having this service. It doesn’t matter under what name, what company,” says Marksteiner. “I would have loved Uber because it’s universal and it especially easy for guests who come to Chatham-Kent.”
The CKXS newsroom has reached out to Uber for an official comment, but has received no response.