WATCH ABOVE: Jill Croteau has more on the efforts being made to keep Uber taxis out of Calgary.
CALGARY- A campaign to stop a controversial cab service from coming to our city is gaining momentum.
Several Canadian cities have joined an online movement raising safety concerns about an American based car for hire service and there’s renewed pressure to keep a car for hire service from coming to Calgary.
It’s marketed as an upscale ride for hire service, connecting riders with drivers using a convenient app called Uber.
There’s controversy over the app connected to the company. Local taxi companies fear they are operating without the adequate insurance and licenses.
Existing cab companies want the proposal parked.
Checker and Associated cabs have joined an online campaign raising concerns over Uber. Hargit Saroya says the business is not fair to taxi drivers like him.
“It’s not fair for us. They don’t have to pass those tests, it’s not safe and also the insurance they don’t have commercial insurance,” Saroya said.
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“They drive without proper driving license, we have to get a class 4 and take an AMA driving test and pass it to drive a taxi,” Desalegne Eshdie, another taxi driver said.
They argue the competition isn’t on the same level because Uber uses sedans to shuttle clients from point A to B.
According to city bylaws, a sedan can’t convert into a cab rules require a $78 minimum charge and the city hasn’t been willing to bend those rules.
The efforts to keep them from operating in many Canadian cities has gone online, a website has been launched to outline concerns warning potential fares that its drivers aren’t properly insured or licensed.
In a response, Uber says we don’t expect a desperate PR campaign to change the fact that in cities around the world consumers are making it known they want Uber. Rather than make an effort to listen and meet consumer expectations cab companies are undertaking a smear campaign to protect their cartel.
Calgarians agree the shortage during peak times is frustrating.
“Over xmas they’re really booked a lot of complaints,” one woman said.
But they admit they’re not so sure they’d take a ride with a company not playing by the rules.
“It should be legit if they’re not registered or following suit then they shouldn’t be on the road.”
Uber has rolled out service in Toronto, Ottawa, and more recently Montreal.
The city of Vancouver is so adamant about preventing Uber from operating in that city, they’ve filed a pre-emptive lawsuit.
Calgary taxi companies are pushing back as Uber tries to gain business traction in the city. Their argument is they have to pay all the business licence and plate fees and Uber is taking advantage. This is happening in other cities as well.
Uber conducted a trial service last year and ended up getting fined for not being licensed.
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