Uber could hit Calgary streets in time for the holidays, councillor says

Advisory committee votes Thursday on new fee structure that could lure ride-hailing service back

CBC.ca
Oct. 17, 2016
By David Bell

A city councillor is acknowledging Calgary's current approach to ride-hailing services like Uber has been a failure as an advisory committee considers new options that could lure the popular service back to city streets, just in time for the holidays.

"The model as presented and approved by last council needed some tweaks, and so I am very heartened by the fact that we have reflected on the fact that it hasn't worked to date, and that we are making some tweaks to the system so that companies like Uber can enter the system," Coun. Evan Woolley told CBC News Monday.

Uber's rocky relationship with Calgary

The city passed amendments to its livery transport bylaw in February to open the doors to ride-hailing services, but Uber said they were unworkable at the time.

This followed a public fight between the city and Uber, where drivers were pulled from the road to comply with a temporary injunction the city sought after it said drivers were "deliberately and continuously" violating bylaws in place at the time.

That conflict further deepened when Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi was caught on tape calling the CEO of Uber "a dick" while using a competing ride-hailing service in Boston, a move he later apologized for.

Reports of Calgary drivers making the trip to Edmonton to drive for Uber because of Edmonton's more accommodating bylaws didn't help Calgary's position.

On Thursday, the Livery Transport Advisory Committee will vote on a report that recommends a new fee structure and online application process, which could lure Uber back to Calgary.

Aiming for a 'healthy and vibrant' taxi system

Woolley said it's about finding a balance.

"We are trying to provide a safe and efficient service for Calgarians. At the same time we need cost recovery," he said.

The existing fee structure charges the company $1,753 per year, plus an additional $220 per driver.

The proposed changes would see the company pay an administration fee based on the number of drivers, a licence fee per driver and a per trip fee. Drivers could also apply online rather than in person.

"We want to ensure there is a healthy and vibrant taxi system in the city as well, but I remain quite hopeful and heartened by these changes and look forward to hopefully having Uber operating in the city by the time the holidays come around," Woolley said.

An Uber spokesperson said they are looking forward to the Thursday vote.

"We have been engaged in a dialogue with the city of Calgary and we hope that the proposed changes will be approved by council so that Calgarians can benefit from ridesharing," Jean-Christophe de Le Rue of Uber Canada said in an emailed statement.