Uber just a taxi by another name: Victoria councillor

timescolonist.com
May 19, 2016
By Bill Cleverley

If Uber wants to set up shop in the city, it should operate under the taxi licensing system, says Victoria Coun. Ben Isitt.

“I think Uber should be encouraged to apply for a taxi licence, to be honest,” Isitt told council colleagues Thursday.

Isitt conceded that Uber’s operating model is different from that of a traditional taxi company, but said the company should have to follow existing rules.

“Just because you can call up a cab on an app, doesn’t mean the provincial government or all the local governments have to do backflips to completely change how this industry is regulated and licensed,” he said.

Isitt said he began the process of applying to be an Uber driver so he could get a better feel for how the company deals with issues such as employee relations and communications. He had no intention of ever working as an Uber driver and ultimately was forced to drop the issue because his car is more than six years old and, therefore, doesn’t meet the company’s minimum requirement.

“In looking at how that company operates and safety for passengers and all these considerations, it’s a taxi service. So why don’t they apply to operate as a taxi company?”

Isitt was responding to a letter from Peter Fassbender, who has been tasked by Premier Christy Clark to develop regulations for Internet-based ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft, and the home-sharing site Airbnb.

City manager Jason Johnson said staff could also research and provide a report on what other jurisdictions have done regarding ride-sharing services.

Uber and Airbnb present staff with an “odious task,” said Coun. Chris Coleman.

“What we’re talking about here is small jurisdictions trying to control something that is much larger. It’s seen in some circles as municipalities fighting the Internet,” he said.

“I’m not sure eventually how much practical authority we will have in this. That’s the reality, but I look forward to the challenge that we’ve thrown down for staff.”

Coun. Jeremy Loveday noted that Airbnb is already operating in the city and having a significant impact on the city’s vacancy rates. Councillors are expecting a report from staff June 9 on Airbnb.

“Uber is not here so we have a chance to get it right and...make sure they’re well regulated, they play by the rules and they’re not having a negative impact on safety or labour relations or on our community in general,” Loveday said.

“Part of that discussion has to recognize they are a multibillion, multi-national corporation that takes 25 per cent of the profits out of the community where they are operating.”

Edmonton is the only city in the country with a framework allowing Uber to operate.

Last month, Uber held information sessions for prospective drivers in a number of B.C. cities, including Victoria, Kelowna, Vancouver and Surrey. A company spokesperson described the meetings as an opportunity for residents to learn about ride-sharing and its benefits.

It’s no secret Uber would like to set up shop in B.C. - especially in Vancouver - which it describes as the largest North American city without ride sharing.

But the company says it will wait to as the provincial government consults municipalities, taxi companies and other stakeholders while coming up with a B.C. policy.