Updated 2019 – Toronto rideshare platforms have been active since Uber’s grand entrance in early 2012. Uber has since held their spot as the dominant rideshare app, with the only real competition being the taxi industry.
Looking for other rideshare options in your city? Head over to our Choose Your City page to find out what rideshare apps are available. Learn how to get signed up in no time!
Uber
Uber has so far been the king of the road in Toronto. They are the most recognizable brand and have been driving the longest. Uber offers a full range of car services from sedans and SUV’s to luxury vehicles and rider accessible services.
Check out the Uber Toronto Driver Pay and Requirements
Culture
Business and luxury car services are the focus of Uber’s branding. They entered the rideshare business offering luxury black car services at the click of a button.
Since then they have included options like economy fare sedans and wheelchair accessible rides.
Service Types
Uber offers 9 service options on the streets of Toronto.
UberPOOL is a car-pooling service in a 4 passenger sedan
UberSELECT is a step above UberX, featuring higher rated drivers and higher end vehicle models.
UberBLACK is the original car service, high end black cars driven by highly rated drivers.
UberXL is a service which calls vans and SUV’s that can seat up to 6 riders.
UberBLACK SUV similar to UberSELECT but vehicles are high end SUV’s seating up to 6 passengers.
UberTAXI hails taxicabs from the Uber app and riders are charged through the app.
UberASSIST is an option for riders with accessibility needs. Helping passengers in an out of the vehicles is a requirement when driving for UberASSIST.
UberWAV is a service option allowing riders to request Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles.
Rates
The rates vary between each car service. UberX and UberPOOL sit at the bottom end of the pay scale. The highest rates come from driving UberSUV or UberBLACK.
Drivers can also take advantage of surge pricing, which is in effect during busy times.
Uber takes a 25% cut of the total fare as a technology licensing fee.
Drivers can benefit from Uber perks like discounts on automotive services, phone plans, and tax services. There is also a referral program in place for referring drivers who complete a certain number of trips.
Excited to sign up with Uber? Help keep us going and use our referral when you sign up! (there may also be driver bonuses in your area 🙂 )
Lyft
Lyft is set to launch in December 2017, and they are no stranger to competition with Uber. The company offers a similar range of service types as Uber, covering standard vehicles as well as premier style vehicles.
Check out our Lyft Toronto Driver Pay and Requirements article!
Culture
Lyft has been marketed as the “fun rideshare app”. When the platform first started, riders would strap a big pink moustache to the grill of their vehicle. Now, in most cities, Lyft drivers display a Lyft Beacon in their windshield.
Safety is important to Lyft. Passengers are given full details on the
Service Types
There are 5 car services offered by Lyft in Toronto
Shared is a car-pooling option and pairs you with other passengers along the same route.
Lyft is the cheapest option and is a sedan seating up to 4 passengers.
Lux is a luxury car service seating up to 4 passengers
Lux Black is the top of the line super luxurious black vehicles with top rated drivers.
XL will call a larger vehicle which seats up to 6 passengers.
Lux Black XL will call a larger luxurious vehicle which seats up to 6 passengers and is driven by top rated drivers.
Rates
The car service you provide determines the rates that you will be paid. The Lyft having the lower rates and the Lux service having the highest. There is also a Prime Time charge for rides that take place during busy times of the day.
Lyft’s takes a commission of 25% of the total trip fare for all car service types. Driver tips are not affected by the commission that Lyft charges.
Drivers will benefit from weekly Power Driver bonuses and referral rewards. Existing drivers who refer new drivers to the platform will receive a cash bonus as a reward.
Express Pay through the Lyft app can be used to withdraw earnings whenever the driver wants.
Ready to sign up with Lyft? Use our referral link to receive the best driver bonuses available in your area!
Facedrive
On the road since October 2017, Facedrive offers the city a more sustainable approach to a rideshare app. Electric, Hybrid, and Gas energy options are available allowing riders to choose the impact their commute will have on the environment.
Check out the Facedrive Toronto Driver Pay and Requirements post for more details.
Culture
With sustainable rideshare at the forefront of Facedrive’s mission statement, it is clear that working towards a greener future is a big part of their platform. Facedrive believes in doing business fairly and equitably, treating both passengers and drivers in the highest regard.
For passengers, Facedrive offers a strong opposition to price gouging techniques like surge pricing. The company also claims to have the lowest rates
Service Types
Facedrive riders can choose between 2 car service types.
Economy is the cheaper range of the scale and can carry up to 4 passengers.
XL is suitable for moving larger groups of up to 6 passengers.
Each vehicle type comes with the option of either an Electric, Hybrid, or Gas powered engine.
Rates
Drivers of electric vehicles will see the same rates as their gas counterparts within their vehicle class.
Facedrive’s commission fees are between 10-15% of the total trip fare. Passengers can also add a tip for the driver after the ride. Drivers who meet qualifications will benefit from profit sharing with the company. This is a bonus no other Toronto rideshare platform offers.
An insurance plan is also available through Facedrive and Northbridge Insurance. Up to $2,000,000 in liability insurance will cover drivers while they are transporting a passenger.
InstaRyde (offline)
Updated 2019 – Both the InstaRyde driver and rider apps are unavailable. The apps start up with a prompt stating the app could not locate the server and to try again later. We attempted to start the app on several days but the issue persists.
InstaRyde, a company who started their rideshare journey in Toronto, are once again operating in the city. They offer four main car services, Ryde, RydeXL, Platinum, and PlatinumXL.
Find more detailed InstaRyde Toronto Driver Pay and Requirements.
Culture
InstaRyde knows how important the driver is to the trip experience. Their website states “We believe that happy drivers translate to a positive rider experience”.
One way they keep their drivers happy is through the bonuses they offer. Cash and gas credits are available for completing a certain number of trips within a time frame
Service Types
There are 4 service types offered by InstaRyde.
Ryde is the standard service and features vehicles with a 4 passenger capacity.
RydeXL has a passenger capacity of up to 7 passengers. Vehicle types are usually SUV’s and minivans.
Platinum is InstaRyde luxury car service, feature higher end vehicles with a 4 passenger capacity.
PlatinumXL is the luxury SUV service, vehicles generally have leather interiors and a passenger capacity of 7 people.
Rates
The rates are based on vehicle type, time in car, and distance travelled on the trip. Passengers have the option to tip the drivers.
InstaRyde takes $0.99 as well as $0.30 + 2.9% (of the total fare). These are the lowest commission rates a Toronto rideshare platform has to offer. They also offer their drivers some great bonuses and referral rates.
Rewards of up to $1000 are possible if you complete enough rides in a given time frame. Gas credits are also available, drivers earn $50 if they complete 50 trips within 14 days of their first trip.
Taxify/Bolt (offline)
Update 2019 – Taxify was rebranded in early 2019 as Bolt and is no longer available in Toronto. The rebrand is the result of a desire to provide multiple modes of transport for their customers. Everything from scooters, cars and public transit links are on the horizon for Bolt. But for now they won’t be on the roads in the GTA.
Taxify offers services to both individuals and businesses, which can be switched with the touch of a button. Riding as an individual works much like Uber. Request, Ride, and Pay.
Business Accounts
At the end of each month, you will be sent a bill when operating under the business service. Along with your bill, you will be given a report which details all of the months trips.
Service Types
Taxify offers 4 car services from sedans to SUVs.
Private is the basic car service comparable to UberX, seating 4 passengers.
XL is a service offering larger vehicle types such as SUVs and minivans, seats up to 6 riders
Lux calls top rated drivers in
WA offers a wheelchair accessible service, providing riders a vehicle to accommodate their needs.
Rates
Passengers pay the driver either in cash or through the Taxify app. Taxify will make weekly deposits directly to driver’s bank accounts every week.
On average, Taxify takes a 15% cut of the fare as a commission percentage.
Drivers can earn bonuses for completing a certain amount of trips in a given time frame. This can help drivers boost their earnings through the week.
Mystro
Drivers can sign up for all of the Toronto rideshare apps and “drive” for all platforms at the same time. The company behind driving app Mystro makes switching between platforms easy! The app allows users to seamlessly switch between Uber and Lyft, allowing them to make the most of their time. Once the ride has been accepted, drivers will be signed out of any rideshare app they are not currently using.
Mystro plans to add other rideshare platforms to their service as the app continues to grow.
Rideshare Showdown
The Toronto rideshare scene will meet 3 new ridesource applications by the end of 2017. InstaRyde, Lyft, and Taxify are all set to launch by the end of the year, bringing the total number of rideshare platforms up to 5.
The most well known rideshare alternative, Lyft, brings their awesome Power Driver bonuses to Toronto’s rideshare drivers.
Uber offers the most service types of the bunch and has great driver perks like discounts on automotive services.
Taxify offers low commission rates and the option to accept cash as well as payment through the app.
All in all, the 5 Toronto rideshare apps represent an evolving rideshare industry and a great opportunity for motivated drivers. Drivers will have more flexibility in terms of the services and the experiences they wish to offer. Be sure to check each platform out and decide which option works best for you and your lifestyle
About The Author: Commercial Driver HQ
Commercial Driver HQ strives to provide you with quality information about driving for a living. Whether you’re an Uber driver or a long haul trucker, we are here to help you succeed!
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