Thread by @socioanna

In 2019, the town of Innisfil in Ontario, Canada made the headlines: the municipality opted to replace public transit with the subsidized #Uber rides. Ellie Ruggles tells us how this unfortunate partnership has unfolded. 1/5 #platformeconomy

Like many other North-American towns, Innisfil struggles to accommodate the aging population and people who don't drive. After a series of public consultations, the city estimated the cost of a new bus at $272,000. Uber and local taxi companies asked some $100,000. 2/5

Uber was chosen as a contractor because they were cheaper, and had a platform that could accommodate more than 2 people per ride. Two years in, the city had to limit the number of rides monthly as the local budget was struggling to afford Uber's services at $800,000 ann-ly.3/5

Then the city's raized taxes and started to gradually cut the size of the subsidy: instead of the projected 5% annual increase, Uber's services were estimated to reach 1 million per year by 2021. 4/5

Uber doesn't share data about the program with the city, so there is no way to opimize it. Uber doesn't allow more than 2 persons per ride, so you need to hail at least two cars for a small family. The city had to launch a phone service for the cirizens without smartphones. 5/5

Might interest @DavidThurlow @ns_ahmed @doctorow