Dawn Wentzell

Save PickupPal, Save the Environment

Posted on August 21st, 2008 in current events, environment

This is exactly the kind of bullshit that frustrates me about government and policy in Ontario. Trentway, a busing company, is trying to ban an internet-based ride share program, PickupPal, based on a 2000 law that restricts “drivers who aren’t properly licensed or bound by strict safety or insurance requirements to collect money by offering rides to strangers”. See the article here.

Basically, Trentway is saying that by offering rides to stranges and accepting even a little gas money, these people are operating a busing or taxi company. And to operate a busing company, you have to have proper insurance and licenses.

If Trentway succeeds in this case, essentially every drive board at a university, every carpooling system at a place of work, anyone offering a ride in exchange for gas money, is illegal.

So much for the efforts of those trying to curb their carbon dioxide emissions…

If you’re interested, you can sign a petition to help save PickupPal in Ontario.