Uber, the on-demand ride-sharing app that’s already shaking up — for better or for worse — the Toronto taxi industry, launches a new service to bolster public transit services tomorrow, Tuesday, December 15.

UberHOP drivers use larger vehicles to pick up multiple riders from a common starting point and drop them off at a common destination. While this sounds an awful lot like a bus or streetcar operating along a route, what’s significantly different about this service is its cost — $5 a ride, which, for many people, is also an awful lot.

The pilot project starts tomorrow along four downtown routes. For its first week of service, UberHOP passengers can ride for free. Starting next week, they’ll face full fares.

The service may be short-lived. National Post reporter, Jake Edmison, explains:

“Toronto Transit Commission lawyers are reviewing Uber’s new shuttle service to see if it threatens the TTC’s legally mandated monopoly in the city…

“Shortly after the announcement, city officials were asking TTC staff if the new service violated the City of Toronto Act, which prohibits anyone other than the TTC from operating ‘a local transport system.’

“‘Because that initiative has been announced and there’s a very clear intent to effectively provide an alternate transit service, we want the lawyers to have a look at it,’ [the TTC’s chief executive officer Andy] Byford said. ‘Just to make sure that we give our political masters advice, because they’re already asking us, “What is the TTC’s view on this?”’

“‘I’m not anti-Uber but my loyalty is to the TTC,’ Byford said. ‘I thought it was kind of ironic that the head of the TTC should be sent an Uber invitation… I can tell you now I will be continuing to use the 504 King streetcar.’”

If you’re already an Uber user, an update to the mobile app will enable UberHOP functionality, letting you choose a pickup point and when you want to leave. During the pilot project, UberHOP routes only serve the Financial District. However, you can ask for new routes here. UberHOP vehicles travel toward the Financial District Mondays to Fridays from 7 until 10 a.m. and back to CityPlace, Fort York, Liberty Village and the Distillery District from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m.