New ride-hailing service just launched in Toronto

A new ride-sharing app makes its Canadian debut as Hopp officially launches in Toronto and the surrounding Greater Toronto Area.

Hopp, which is backed by European ridesharing company Bolt, operates in more than 50 countries and 600 cities. The service is now available in Toronto, Mississauga, Markham, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill, and it plans to expand to other areas in the future.

Hopp has over 200 million customers and more than 4.5 million partners globally. In a press release, the service described its strategy as having "a strong track record of putting users and drivers first."

Hopp currently has a commission rate of 15 percent or lower for drivers, allowing them to take home more of the trip's final cost than other rideshare drivers. In comparison, Lyft's fees are variable, while Uber charges a 25 percent ride commission. This has been in conversation recently, as rideshare drivers in Toronto were seen protesting in favour of higher and more liveable wages.

The app boasts many rider and driver safety features. The company has brought in a safety team to monitor safety. Hopp also includes rider and driver profile photos, driver background checks, 24/7 customer support, and real-time ride tracking.

Hopp also has additional safety features like location sharing, rider/driver unmatching, ride check, and trusted contacts. The location-sharing feature allows drivers and riders to share the real-time link through email, SMS, WhatsApp, or Telegram so loved ones can check in on the trip. 

Rider/driver unmatching allows users who rate the trip one star to be unmatched from the driver, preventing any rides from them in the future. A ride check feature can be enabled and allows the 24/7 safety team to check in with riders and drivers if they are experiencing problems. Users can also add trusted contacts that Hopp can call if the service cannot contact them.