An Uber-style app developed in Ottawa now allows university and college students to earn money shovelling snow.
Called TouchPlow, its developers recently opened the doors for students to work as snow shovellers, after working with private contractors.
“I believe young students [are] where TouchPlow can build its future on, in Canada and elsewhere,” said TouchPlow CEO Ken Dale in a press release. “With money being left on the table sometimes during and after snowfalls, this is simply the right thing to do.”
The service-for-pay model that TouchPlow shares with Uber and other services in the “sharing economy” has gained considerable traction over the past few years.
Like Uber, if someone would like their driveway shovelled, they request it on the TouchPlow app or on their website. A message is then sent to operators nearby.
Students receive 75 per cent commission for each job, and bank services are conducted through the application itself.
Fares are determined by the size of a driveway. The app is currently available in Ontario and in Maritime provinces.
Dale currently owns the snow removal company Appleseed Barrhaven. He said if the demand for his service increases, so will jobs for students.
“There will be an incredible demand for university students next winter,” he said. “There will be an incredible initiative for students to earn money.”
Dale added that if enough students pick up shovelling fares, he’ll attempt to arrange with municipalities for students to shovel residential roadways, which is currently mostly done by companies contracted by cities.
Carleton student Ahmed Hassan said he was interested in trying out TouchPlow.
“I would definitely use the app, because I find myself with a lot of free time on my hands and it’s not hard work and it seems convenient,” he said.
Dale said he could eventually see TouchPlow introducing itself into the lawn-mowing and leaf-blowing business in an effort to sustain a year-long service.
A summer version of the app, called TouchMow, is set to launch in 2017.
Snow shovelling requires people to use the same muscles repeatedly, which can strain backs and cause pain.
The Ontario Chiropractor Association reccomended on its website picking the right ergonomic shovel, pushing rather than throwing snow, bending knees while using legs and arm muscles to do the pushing and lifting while keeping your back straight, and consistently taking breaks.
The association also advises people to dress to the weather, know when to rest, stay hydrated, and to watch out for ice.
