Plans to legalize Uber raise accessibility concerns
City plans to negotiate voluntary per-trip surcharge to put towards accessibility fund

CBC.ca
April 5, 2016

The City of Ottawa's plan to legalize Uber could park the local fleet of accessible taxis as traditional companies are driven out of business, a representative from the Council for Canadians with Disabilities told CBC News.

"The taxi industry will probably be decimated, which is what's happening in the States. There is a lot of history showing accessible cabs are just being parked," said Bob Brown.

Brown plans to make a presentation on Thursday as a city committee reviews a report recommending the legalization of app-based ride-hailing services, such as Uber.

The city currently has nearly 200 accessible cabs. Uber does offer a service called Uber Assist for people with mobility issues, but it doesn't operate in Ottawa, cutting people who travel in wheelchairs off from reduced fares, said Brown, who himself uses a wheelchair to get around. 

"Uber is coming in saying it's a discount service, you know, cheaper, so a person with disabilities would not be afforded the same opportunity to take advantage of the discounted service," he said.

'No intention of sliding backwards'

Coun. Diane Deans, head of the committee overseeing the proposed taxi regulation changes, said the report includes a plan to negotiate a voluntary per-trip surcharge to put towards an accessibility fund.

"We have no intention of sliding backwards, whatsoever," Deans said.

The funds would be allocated based on a yet-to-be determined basis developed with the help of accessibility advocates.

"Would it be some sort of chit system? Would it be more vehicles for Para Transpo? Whatever it would be, we would have a pool of money to ensure we are providing greater accessibility service," she said.

Brown said Para Transpo is not comparable to the convenience of a taxi because of the need to book trips a day in advance.

The report also recommends petitioning the province for authority to create a mandatory accessibility levy for private cabs.