Calgary councillors confident in new ridesharing bylaw
Council to vote on new regulations for services such as Uber on Monday

metronews.ca
Feb. 21, 2016
By Brodie Thomas

Calgary City Council could pave the way for Uber on Monday.

The question is: will Uber be ready to drive on the road they lay out for them?

The ridesharing service began operating in October and was then shut down in November by a court injunction the city sought out.

According to a Livery Transport Services spokesperson, the City of Calgary has met with Uber monthly since 2014 on how the rideshare company could operate in Calgary.

City administration has since drawn up regulations that place requirements on Uber or any other ridesharing service, such as vehicle inspections and police background checks on all drivers.

Coun. Andre Chabot feels the city’s regulations - which will be voted on by council on Monday - are completely reasonable.

“We’re trying to protect the public’s interest, and the rules we’re asking them to adhere to are less onerous than what the taxi industry wants to comply with,” said Chabot.

However, in a statement released Friday, Uber’s Alberta general manager Ramit Kar said the company could not operate within the new restrictions.

“While we remain committed to work in good faith with the City of Calgary, despite our best efforts, City Council will consider a bylaw this Monday that would not allow Uber to resume operations,” he said.

Like Chabot, Coun. Shane Keating is satisfied with the rules and not worried about Uber’s stance.

“If Uber doesn’t come to Calgary, I’m sure another company will,” he said.