Winnipeg – A new Probe Research Inc. survey shows that a great many Winnipeggers are familiar with the ride-sharing app Uber, and a majority of citizens (60%) want this service to be available in their city.

Overall, nearly eight-in-ten Winnipeg adults (78%) reported that they know about Uber, a transportation app that connects people seeking a ride somewhere with drivers willing to take them where they need to go. Awareness of this ride-sharing app is highest among men (86%), older adults aged 55 years and over (84%) and those with higher levels of education and household income.

The introduction of Uber into the transportation marketplace has been controversial and a number of cities worldwide have banned the use of this service. In December, the provincial government indicated that anyone who drives for Uber would require a taxicab license.

Of those who are familiar with Uber in Winnipeg, six-in-ten say that they support the idea of Uber being allowed to operate in Winnipeg (60%, including 19% who strongly support this and 41% who are moderately in favour). One-quarter are opposed to allowing Uber to operate in Winnipeg (23%, including 12% strongly opposed and 11% who moderately oppose this). Seventeen percent were unsure or did not respond.

Younger adults aged 18-34 were among those most likely to support the idea of having this ride-sharing app in Winnipeg (76% versus just 53% among those aged 55 years and over). Support for, and opposition to Uber was relatively consistent among all other demographic sub-populations.

View full release