Poll suggests strong support for Uber in Mississauga

Ahead of a decision Wednesday by Mississauga council to determine whether or not Uber will be allowed to operate, a new poll shows support for the service

Thestar.com
May 25, 2016
By San Grewal

Ahead of a Mississauga council decision Wednesday that will determine the future of Uber and other ride-sharing companies in the city, a new poll of local residents shows strong support for the service.

Just under half of residents surveyed do not support the action taken by council two weeks ago when it banned ride-sharing companies unless they follow regulations similar to those governing traditional taxis.

In the Forum Research poll, 49 per cent of the 722 residents surveyed on May 19 said they do not support the move, while 42 per cent indicated they support the council decision to curtail ride-sharing in the city. About 10 per cent didn’t have an opinion on the council decision.

Satisfaction with Uber by those in the city who have used the service is high, with 95 per cent of the survey respondents who have used the popular app indicating they are satisfied with it and 86 per cent indicating they are “very satisfied.”

About one half of respondents, 49 per cent, indicated they are satisfied with traditional taxi service in the city.

In a separate council vote two weeks ago, the possibility of special rules for Uber and other companies was kept open through a proposed pilot program. A key condition for the possible pilot is that Uber cease operations until an experimental program can be launched with new rules sometime after September.

On Wednesday council is expected to once and for all decide if there is a path forward for Uber and other ride-sharing companies.

Councillors, with Mayor Bonnie Crombie pushing the issue, last week said Uber has until this Wednesday to shut down operations, or else the pilot plan will be scrapped.

Crombie has been the strongest proponent for finding a compromise that would allow ride-sharing companies to operate under more flexible regulations. Members of the Peel Taxi Alliance and the city’s public vehicle advisory committee have lobbied against special rules for Uber.

The global ride-sharing company has stated it has 5,000 drivers in Mississauga and 100,000 monthly riders. The city has indicated there are about 3,500 traditional taxis operating. Many drivers have complained that Uber has flooded the market and has dramatically eaten into their revenues.

Local representatives of the industry told Crombie during earlier council meetings that they are not interested in new regulations such as surge pricing, charging riders more during peak ridership times, to compete with Uber. Surge pricing was characterized to council as a predatory practice unfair to customers by members of the traditional taxi industry.

The Forum poll is considered accurate within four percentage points, 19 times out of 20.