Uber launches in Newfoundland

Uber launched its ride-sharing service in Newfoundland and Labrador on April 23rd. The province’s new Transportation Network Company (TNC) insurance requirements are a policy which insures against liability up to $200,000, and a motor vehicle liability policy which insures against liability up to $1,000,000.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador first announced the introduction of a provincial approach to ride sharing in October 2023. Legislative amendments to permit ride-sharing services to operate within the province came into effect on December 21, 2023.

Highlights of the new TNC system include:

• Use of a Transportation Network (technology which can be an online enabled application, digital platform, software, or website) to deliver the service.
• The Transportation Network must provide the following to each passenger:
  • A clear, accurate image of each affiliated driver, which matches their current likeness.
  • The first name of each affiliated driver.
  • The make, model, model year and license plate of the affiliated vehicles (or image of them).
  • The name and contact information of the Transportation Network company.
  • The fare amount, including any applicable surge pricing and the total estimated cost of the trip, before the start of every trip.
  • A secure payment method.
  • Whether any other passengers will be picked up during the trip.
  • The estimated time for pick up.
• The Transportation Network must also record information (i.e., trip records) outlined in the Regulations, in an accessible format and retain that information for a minimum of four years from the date the record was created.
• If the ride is accepted by the passenger, an electronic receipt must be issued upon completion of the trip. The receipt must include all the information outlined in the Regulations.
• All payments must be made through the technology. Drivers are not permitted to accept cash.
• The locations of all ride-sharing vehicles will be monitored and recorded by the Transportation Network Company using a global positioning system (GPS):
  • For the duration of the trip, GPS tracking of the location and route will be provided in a format that can be shared by the passenger with others who are not in the vehicle.
• The Transportation Network Company must also make the following information available to the public at all times, either on a website or on the Transportation Network:
  • Payments can only be made through the Transportation Network.
  • Contact information, including legal mane and registered business address.
  • Notice that the trip information is being recorded, including a link to their privacy policy.
  • Information regarding the trip request cancellation policy.

More information about ride-sharing requirement is available online.