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It would be impractical for Toronto to try to shut down Uber: Tory

Toronto Mayor John Tory is pictured in Toronto on December 2, 2014.
Toronto Mayor John Tory is pictured in Toronto on December 2, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Toronto Mayor John Tory says it would be impractical for the city to try to shut down Uber, which is preparing to launch another ride-sharing service called uberHOP on Tuesday.

UberHop will be a rush-hour, carpool option that links some of Toronto’s busiest neighbourhoods to the downtown business district for a flat $5 fee.

Tory says there’s no point trying to judge if Uber’s expansion is good or bad for Toronto, and calls it another convenient and affordable option for consumers and a marketplace response to a reality.

READ MORE: Tory, Wynne discuss transit, Uber and Syrian refugees at Queen’s Park

He says Uber has over 300,000 users and 15,000 drivers in Toronto, and it would not be practical to try to force the company to cease operations until new regulations are enacted.

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Tory says lawyers are gathering more evidence about Uber, but so far are not recommending the city make a second attempt for an injunction to shut it down.

Hundreds of cab drivers tied up traffic throughout Toronto’s downtown core for about 12 hours last Wednesday to protest Uber’s ride-hailing service and demand the city enforce its bylaws.

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