Instaryde New Years

Uber competitor giving away 5,000 free rides on NYE in Toronto

If you pay a single cent to get anywhere in Toronto on New Year's Eve, you're doing it wrong.

Local ridesharing startup InstaRyde is giving away 5,000 free rides between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 in an effort to keep people safe on one of the year's biggest party nights (and presumably win over some business from Uber and Lyft).

Starting at 4 p.m. on Dec. 31, InstaRyde says it will take a maximum of 4 riders per vehicle anywhere in the downtown core (from Bloor Street to the Gardiner Expressway, and River Street to Dufferin Street). 

Customers must use the "Ryde" category, according to the company, and will initially be charged the full amount of their trip. Then, they will be reimbursed.

A post shared by InstaRydeTO (@instarydeto) on

The promotion lasts until New Year's Day at 8 a.m.

"We are giving Torontonian’s these gifts for the holidays because we love our city," said InstaRyde co-founder Karim Sumar in a press release. 

"We are committed to giving both our drivers and our riders the best service and keeping everyone safe this holiday season. Remember don’t drink and drive, InstaRyde."

Don't live in the downtown core? No worries. GO Transit and UP Express vehicles are also 100 per cent free on New Year's Eve this year between 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 7 a.m. on Jan. 1.

During those same hours, the entire TTC will also be free to ride, just like it has been for the past five years on New Year's Eve.

Lead photo by

John Tavares Jr.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Toronto was just named one of the top 10 most 'impossibly affordable' cities in the world

Construction for busiest station on future Toronto subway line is heating up

Popular Ontario road trip destination is being copied with fake version in Toronto

Giant 'beast' sized rats are completely taking over an Ontario city

Last Canada Child Benefit payments before big increase are going out next week

Tornado watches in effect for Southern Ontario as severe thunderstorm approaches

Someone got a horrible TTC tattoo and people in Toronto think it's absolutely hilarious

Fascinating map shows which languages are spoken the most across Toronto