Mississauga City Councillors voted unanimously to request the ride-sharing service suspend operations in the city while new laws are crafted.
While taxi drivers are obliged to take out commercial insurance policies to drive, as well as adhering to other city regulations, Uber drivers face no such obligation.
Deputations of cabbies drawn from the cities 3,500 traditional taxi drivers told Council that drivers for the ride-sharing service undercut them by offering fares 25 to 30 per cent lower.
According to information presented to council, the city’s 5,000 Uber drivers account for approximately 100.000 rides per month.
Councillor Nando Iannicca likened the ridesharing platform to “illegal cigarettes” and “bootlegged” alcohol to an Uber representative in a heated committee meeting yesterday.
“You spin it very well, but you’re peddling a myth — Uber is a success because you work outside a regulatory framework.”
Meanwhile, Uber representatives are tight-lipped on plans to comply, with Uber Canada’s public policy manager, Chris Schafer, telling one media outlet only that “We’ll take the time as a company to review the motion.”
