Bylaw tickets skyrocket for Uber drivers in Toronto

WATCH ABOVE: Bylaw fines against UberX drivers have spiked since last update. Mark Carcasole reports.

TORONTO – The city-wide crackdown on Uber drivers seems to be working as 198 tickets have been handed out to 99 drivers as of last Friday.

This is a dramatic increase from numbers released just a month ago of 72 tickets to 36 drivers.

“This service seemed to be operating outside the law and obviously the regulatory officials have made decision with respect to laying charges,” said Mayor John Tory during a media availability on Thursday morning.

Uber Canada insists the ride-sharing company will pay for their bylaw tickets.

“If you receive a bylaw ticket for driving on the Uber platform, please email us and we will take care of it,” Uber Canada said in an email to its drivers a day after city council voted to review taxi regulations and begin strict enforcement of bylaws.

Mayor John Tory had promised swift action to bring a level playing field for both Uber and cab drivers.

“I think our priority has to be what it is. To develop as fast as we can this regulatory regime and bring that forward to city council for discussion and the objective to that is to have an equitable treatment for the different industries involved here or segments for the industry,” said Tory.

Earlier this summer, an Ontario judge dismissed an application to halt the ride-hailing service.

Superior Court Judge Sean Dunphy said in his ruling that there is “no evidence” the company is operating as a taxi broker or that it breached city bylaws.

But the taxi industry remains convinced Uber is consciously flouting the law by keeping its drivers on the road.