Uber Freight Branches Out Into Canada

Uber Freight is rolling out to Canada after bringing its technology to European customers across the Netherlands and Germany earlier this year, the company announced in a blog post on Wednesday (Oct. 30).

Uber Freight is managing loads in Ontario and Quebec domestically and across the border to U.S. Midwestern and Northeastern states, with plans to expand to the rest of Canada. The Uber Freight app is now available in both English and French.

Over $600 billion in goods were trucked between Canada and the U.S. in 2018. Canada also has to contend with the same business concerns as the U.S., such as the shortage of drivers. The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) forecasts the shortage will top 34,000 by 2024. Not only are thousands of truckers anticipated to retire, there is little push to entice people to the field, the company said. 

“Uber Freight is uniquely positioned to solve industry challenges and transform freight logistics in Canada and across the globe. Shippers will have unprecedented visibility into their supply chains, and access the actionable market data and reliable capacity that enables their businesses to thrive. Carriers and their drivers benefit from upfront pricing, fast payment, and easy booking,” according to the company.

Uber Freight announced last month that it was investing $200 million to “put down roots” in Chicago.

“Tapping into Chicago’s rich history and incredible potential, we’ll be investing $200 million annually in the region, through headcount, real estate investment and other expenses to support Uber’s local operations,” Lior Ron, head of Uber Freight, wrote in a blog post at the time.

Since its launch three years ago, Uber Freight now has a team of hundreds, with offices in San Francisco, Chicago, Amsterdam and Germany. 

“Alongside Eats and Rides, Uber Freight is constantly looking towards the next frontier — working to redefine what’s possible so that we can have the biggest impact on the people that keep our economy moving. I’m humbled by and proud of the work we’ve accomplished together, and I’m excited to see what opportunities Chicago unlocks for us,” Ron said in the blog post.