Uber use
continues to climb; satisfaction high
Two thirds approve of Uber HOP, half would use if available
TORONTO December
29th - In
a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 802 Toronto
adults, close to 3-in-10 have used the Uber mobile ride sharing app (28%), and
this is up from just more than a fifth in July (22%) and less than this in
April, 2015 (18%). Uber usage is common to the youngest (44%), males (38%), the
wealthiest ($100K to $250K - 42%) and those in the downtown (39%).
Satisfaction with Uber much higher than with taxis
Overall,
virtually all those who have used Uber are satisfied (93%) with the experience,
most of them “very satisfied” (86%). By contrast, just one half of Torontonians
are satisfied with the taxi experience (52%) and just one fifth are “very
satisfied” (21%).
More favour Uber than cabbies in dispute
Close
to 4-in-10 Torontonians favour the Uber side in the current dispute (38%),
compared to less than 3-in-10 who favour the cabbies (29%). One quarter sides
with both (22%) and fewer than a tenth side with neither (6%). Favouring the cab
drivers is characteristic of the oldest (44%), females (31%), the less wealthy
($20K to $40K - 35%), in North York (30%) and East York (37%), among Olivia
Chow voters (40%) and those whose background is in the British Isles (40%).
More favour deregulating taxis than regulating Uber
One
third of Toronto voters favour loosening taxi regulations so they can compete
with Uber (34%), rather than the 3-in-10 who suggest regulating Uber just like
cabs are regulated now (30%). Close to one fifth think the entire cab industry
should be deregulated (17%). Very few suggest banning Uber (7%).
Two thirds approve of Uber HOP
Two
thirds of adult Torontonians approve of Uber HOP, the multiple-passenger,
scheduled Uber service from condo districts into the financial district (65%),
while just one fifth disapprove (20%), and about 1-in-7 don’t have an opinion
(14%). Favouring Uber HOP is especially characteristic of younger voters (35 to
44 - 73%), the wealthiest (71%) in Etobicoke (73%).
One half would use Uber HOP if available
One
half of Toronto adults would use Uber HOP if it were available in their
communities (48%), and this is especially the case with the youngest (62%),
least wealthy (62%), in Etobicoke (60%) and among those who voted for Doug Ford
last time (55%).
Most approve of TTC transit monopoly
Close
to half of Toronto adults approve of the fact the TTC has a monopoly on transit
in Toronto (46%), while about 4-in-10 disapprove of this (36%). Approval of the
TTC monopoly is characteristic of the oldest (63%), the wealthiest (53%), in
the old city of York (57%) and John Tory voters (52%).
Majority don’t consider Uber HOP to be transit
More
than half do not consider Uber HOP to be transit (54%), while about one third
would categorize it that way (35%).
Most don’t want either taxis or transit deregulated
Close
to 4-in-10 Torontonians agree neither the taxi industry nor the transit sector
should be deregulated in Toronto (38%), while one fifth suggests deregulating
the taxi industry only (21%). Just fewer think both sectors should deregulated
(16%), and few think only transit should be freed of regulation (7%).
“While Toronto clearly sees
the benefit of sensible transportation regulation, they also think very highly
of Uber, are using it more, are interested in Uber HOP and would favour
deregulating the taxi industry to enough of an extent that it can compete with
Uber as it exists now," said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne
Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum
Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.
