Uber back on council agenda, as company fails to comply with Mississauga’s latest ban

Mississauga.com
May 17, 2016
By Rachael Williams

Mississauga councillors will discuss Uber’s unwillingness to cease operations until the creation of a pilot program at Wednesday’s general committee meeting.

On May 13, the City of Mississauga sent a letter to Uber stating council’s directive for the company to suspend all operations unless they follow the same regulations as taxis. This ban would apply until September 21, when a newly appointed committee would have recommendations prepared for a pilot program governing Uber and other transportation network carriers (TNC).

A response letter dated May 16 from Uber general manager Ian Black states:

“Uber believes that a pilot program based on an existing Ontario ridesharing regulatory model would best meet the requirements of a pilot program in the City of Mississauga. With that said, Uber inquires whether the September 21, 2016 date for recommendations on the framework for a pilot program could be moved forward in advance of a cease of operations.”

The initial deadline for the pilot program was June 15, but Coun. Ron Starr advised it wouldn’t be possible for a new committee to develop recommendations by that time.

As part of the council motion, if Uber continued to operate while the committee was forming its recommendations, it would be dissolved and negotiations with Uber would be off the table.

Since the council decision, Uber has continued to operate in Mississauga.

Mississauga’s general committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m.