Cab drivers laud Brampton mayor's anti-Uber stance 

TorontoSun.com
Jan. 31, 2016
Maryam Shah

Taxi drivers in Toronto are applauding Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey for taking a stand against the ride-sharing company, Uber.

Jeffrey recently sent a letter to the Peel Taxi Alliance, outlining her concerns about the operations of ride-sharing companies in her city.

“I share your concern that such companies providing ride-sharing services do not carry adequate insurance, safety inspections or driver training,” she wrote in the Jan. 21 letter. “In addition, these drivers fail to acquire proper police background checks that are required of all Brampton taxi drivers.”

Sam Moini, of the Toronto Taxi Alliance, said Sunday he hopes the Toronto officials will mirror that firm sentiment.

“We’re hoping that the city takes notice ... of the words Brampton is using to send a clear message to Uber that ‘You’re not running the show here, we are. We need you to follow the laws and regulations of this city,’” he said Sunday. “And we hope Toronto does the same thing.”

Uber has been the subject of much tension between Toronto City Hall and angry taxi drivers who feel UberX is getting away with not adhering to the same rules and regulations as the cab industry.

Toronto council has asked city officials to figure out how to regulate Uber. The ride-sharing company was asked to cease operations in the meantime — a request it has refused.

Meanwhile in Brampton, a taxicab advisory committee has been re-established.

Mayor Jeffrey’s letter to Brampton taxi drivers highlightrs concerns about “ride-sharing companies that are operating without proper licensing.

“It concerns me that such companies are accessing municipal infrastructure without contributing anything for their use and maintenance,” she wrote.

“For these reasons I have instructed my staff to examine all options that will restrict illegal ride sharing companies from operating in Brampton without appropriate licensing.”