uber Toronto

Uber not happy with proposed new rules in Toronto

The war between Toronto's taxi industry and Uber is raging on after last week's Licensing and Standards Committee meeting. City Councillors voted 5 to 1 late Friday night on a slew of taxi-related reforms, yet got rid of many that would help legalize UberX on Toronto streets.

As the Globe and Mail reports, about 100 people - many representing the taxi industry - spoke at the two-day-long marathon of a meeting. While Uber Canada didn't show up, the company sent in a response to the proposed new by-laws on Friday prior to the vote.

Uber Canada questioned many of the new rules, as the Globe writes, including those in relation to the age of its drivers' vehicles as well as the city's proposed driver-related fees.

Yet, for taxis, limos and private transportation companies (PTCs) - such as Uber and even Lyft - the committee passed a motion saying that all drivers must have snow tires, be able to communicate in English and have in-car cameras. It also voted to implement a 10 per cent fare levy, which would go towards an accessibility fund.

The committee, reports CBC News, scrapped the entire part of the bylaw pertaining to PTCs. This means, for instance, it recommended against giving PTCs a separate set of rules, including conditions such as lower licensing fees and the ability to use surge pricing models.

The so-called Vehicle-For-Hire Bylaw will go before city council, likely at the next meeting in early May. The bylaw sets out different rules for taxis, limousines and PTCs.

Photo by Ryan in the blogTO Flickr pool.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Toronto just got a new waterfront park that's been years in the making

Here's why swarms of giant birds are being seen in Ontario skies right now

A parasitic fungus is turning Ontario creepy crawlies into suicidal zombies

Three different Ontario LRT lines are now in major trouble

Shocking hit-and-run video shows Ontario driver try to flee in totalled truck

Canada now has universal pharmacare here's how it will affect you

Alleged drunk driver crashes then tries to flee through Ontario police station

Northern Lights took over Ontario skies in rare show and the photos are out of this world