Taxi Alliance to speak out on city's ride-sharing decision

CTVnews.ca
May 9, 2016
By Courtney Greenberg

The taxi industry says they will be making an announcement Wednesday at city hall about ride-sharing in Toronto.

On May 3, city councilors voted in favour of allowing companies like Uber to operate in the city, with a set of new regulations.

The rules included making snow tires a requirement for taxi and Uber drivers in the winter. The motion also set the new minimum price at $3.25 for Uber X rides.

Executive director of the Toronto Taxi Alliance Rita Smith said the main topics of discussion Wednesday will be surge pricing, insurance and the security cameras.

"We're encouraged to think that there will be clarifying by-laws in place as early as July 15 so that we can focus on customer service and competing in the ground transportation market,” she said in an email.

She said there were parts of the motion the taxi industry supports, like ensuring Uber drivers have to "provide proof of insurance to the city." She said they also support keeping security cameras in taxis.

"There are other elements which we find challenging, but we will find a way to work with the new by-laws," she said.

The announcement will be made at city hall's member's lounge at 10 a.m.