Uber use continues to climb; satisfaction high

| Filed under: Toronto

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.