Hesham Jabr, the Chief Executive Officer of IntoDash, a ridesharing service based in North Bay, asked Callander council for permission to operate the service in Callander. Councillors were interested in the proposal, but staff would need “to review and revise our taxi by-law in order to allow for rideshare programs,” noted Ashley Bilodeau, Callander’s senior municipal director.
Jabr described IntoDash as “a forward-thinking, technologically driven ride-sharing application that connects passengers with reliable, background-checked drivers.”
On that note, he assured council that his company “carefully vets” all drivers, who all “undergo thorough background checks” before getting behind the wheel for the service.
The service offers rides for both people and packages, Jabr noted, adding that “IntoDash is dedicated to fostering collaboration with existing taxi services in the area. This cooperation ensures a cohesive transportation network that benefits both riders and drivers.”
“It’s something we should consider,” Mayor Robb Noon said, although before they do, council asked for a report from staff detailing more information regarding the revision required for the current taxi by-law. After the report comes in, council will further discuss the issue and decide whether to allow the service into the community.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
