How Porter O'Brien Helped Uride Navigate Regulatory Barriers to Launch Safe Transportation

When innovative companies face regulatory roadblocks, the right government relations strategy can mean the difference between abandoning a mission-critical service and transforming an entire market. Uride's journey from regulatory frustration to provincial expansion exemplifies how strategic advocacy can drive meaningful change.

The Challenge: Innovation Meets Outdated Regulation

In 2021, Uride was ready to launch their ride-sharing platform in New Brunswick, driven by a clear mission to reduce impaired driving through safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options. However, their launch plans quickly stalled when they encountered a significant barrier: outdated provincial regulations that made insurability and by extension, operations, virtually impossible.

For a company focused on public safety, being blocked by regulatory frameworks designed for a different era was particularly frustrating. Uride needed more than just legal compliance; they needed regulatory reform that would enable their safety-focused business model to operate effectively.

The Solution: Strategic Government Relations Partnership

Recognizing the complexity of New Brunswick's regulatory landscape, Uride partnered with Porter O'Brien to navigate these challenges strategically. Our team brought deep knowledge of the province's regulatory system, combined with an understanding of how to align business objectives with public policy priorities.

The key was positioning Uride's mission (reducing impaired driving) as aligned with the government's own public safety objectives. By leveraging our expertise in stakeholder engagement and regulatory advocacy, we helped identify pathways for meaningful dialogue with decision-makers and developed a compelling case for regulatory modernization.

The Results: From Roadblock to National Expansion

The collaboration proved transformative. Through strategic advocacy and persistent engagement, we helped resolve the regulatory barriers that had initially blocked Uride's operations. In 2023, Uride successfully opened its doors in Fredericton, marking the beginning of their New Brunswick journey.

But the success didn't stop there. What began as a single-city launch has since expanded across the region, with Uride now operating multiple locations throughout New Brunswick. Building on this success, Porter O'Brien continued to support Uride by helping them begin the process of unlocking other markets across Canada, and most recently going live in Fort McMurray, positioning them for true national expansion.

The Impact: Driving Change, One Safe Ride at a Time

Today, Uride is actively fulfilling their mission of reducing impaired driving while providing essential transportation services to communities across Canada. Their success demonstrates how effective government relations can unlock innovation and create meaningful social impact across multiple jurisdictions.

Porter O'Brien is proud to have supported Uride's journey from regulatory frustration to national expansion. When vision meets the right advocacy strategy, transformative change becomes possible one market at a time.

Ready to Navigate Your Regulatory Challenges?

Does your business face regulatory barriers that are limiting growth or market entry? Porter O'Brien's deep expertise in government relations and regulatory advocacy can help transform obstacles into opportunities. From provincial compliance to multi-jurisdictional expansion, we partner with innovative companies to unlock their full potential.

Contact Porter O'Brien today to discuss how strategic government relations can accelerate your business objectives and drive meaningful change in your industry.