Mayor Linda Jeffrey looks to clamp down on Uber

BramptonGuardian.com
Jan. 27, 2016
Peter Criscione  

Mayor Linda Jeffrey wants to put the brakes on ride sharing companies.

In a letter to taxi industry officials, Jeffrey spells out her commitment to clamp down on unregulated ride-sharing operations like Uber.

The company continues to make waves as it expands its market share in cities and undercuts traditional taxis operations.

"Ride sharing companies that are operating without proper licensing in our community have not made any investment from which they derive their income. This is patently unfair to all Brampton taxpayers," said Jeffrey, who has joined a growing chorus of municipal officials calling for stricter regulations on ride-sharing companies.

Brampton City Council has not taken an official position on the issue. Earlier this month, councillors approved the formation of a taxis advisory committee that aims to tackle issues affecting the industry including the rise of ride-sharing mobile apps.

The committee has yet to meet officially.

But the mayor has preempted the group by taking aim at what she calls illegal, unlicensed and unregulated ride sharing operators that “use municipal roads and infrastructure without contributing anything for their use and maintenance.”

In her letter to the Peel Taxi Alliance, an advocacy group representing some 4,000 cab drivers in Brampton and Mississauga, Jeffrey indicates she has instructed staff to examine all options that will restrict illegal ride sharing companies from operating in Brampton.

“I share your concern that such companies providing ride sharing services do not carry adequate insurance, safety inspections or driver training. In addition, these drivers fail to acquire proper police background checks that are required of all Brampton taxi drivers.”

Local taxis association officials praised Jeffrey for her support.

"All we are asking for is that there is a level playing field that applies to all companies that provide transportation options in Brampton," said Joe Farrugia, Vice President of the Peel Taxi Alliance and owner of a local taxi company. "We thank Mayor Jeffrey for her principled stance and encourage the city to take the appropriate action in enforcing the rules.”

The rise of ride sharing companies like Uber have turned the taxis industry on its head, prompting mass demonstrations from cab drivers who want municipalities to clamp down.

Uber has had a series of regulatory battles — mainly with municipal and provincial governments — over taxi regulations.

Last year, Ontario taxi drivers hit Uber Canada with a $400 million class action lawsuit for creating an “enormous marketplace for illegal transportation.”

It was also reported last week media that the Canadian Revenue Agency is auditing Uber.