It’s a subject that’s already prompted heated debate, one that may heat up once a proposed bylaw goes before City Council.
The proposed bylaw attempts to address insurance and licensing concerns related to ride-sharing services such as Uber – the bylaw essentially requires the use of two separate licenses, one for vehicles like taxis and limousines, and another for drivers working for Uber.
That is one of a number of issues at play, but council felt it was important to start the amendment process.
“If it needs to be changed down the road, then we’ll change it, but I think there’s will to get something in place because the situation that we have right now is not great, we have to do something different,” Councillor Michael Oshry said.
Representatives of taxi drivers in Edmonton said they’re not satisfied, and called the proposed bylaw poorly thought out – saying it doesn’t address differences in fares.
“Uber is allowed to change whatever they want for their services,” Pascal Ryffel, a spokesperson for the Driving for Equality Campaign, said. “Whereas the taxi industry has a very regulated system.
“We don’t think it’s fair that one type of service can charge one thing, and an existing service can charge a completely different amount.”
A rally is being planned next week by taxi drivers, and Uber is planning a public awareness campaign of their own.
In a statement released Thursday, an Uber spokesperson said the bylaw would shut Uber down in Edmonton.
“We are hopeful City Council will consider amendments that will keep ridesharing in the city as is desired by the vast majority of Edmontonians. We are starting a public awareness campaign on this issue asking local residents to reach out to their elected representatives to voice their support for expanded transportation options and smart regulatory solutions. Uber continues to work with the City to develop rules that permanently welcome ridesharing to the provincial capital.”
City Council will discuss the new bylaw on Tuesday, November 17.
With files from Danelle Boivin
