City Committee to Review Staff Recommendations on Uber

640toronto.com
July 19, 2016

The great Uber debate returns to London City Hall.

A report by city staff will be reviewed by the Community and Protective Services Committee on Tuesday.

Among the recommendations is a plan to put the brakes on surge pricing, something Roger Caranci, a spokesperson for the London Taxi Association, agrees with.

“Nobody should be ripped off if they take a cab from the Argyle area in London to downtown. They’re paying $20 one way and then later at night when they have to go back home they’re going to pay $60, $80 or $100 to get to the same place. We don’t think that’s fair.”

The report also suggests Uber drivers be responsible for the same liability insurance and safety requirements as taxis, and install working interior and forward facing cameras.

If approved, City hall would also drop medical exams and requirements for English-language testing from the current by-law.

Vehicle inspections would be required for older-model vehicles, and emergency lights would be exempt.

“I think you guys are sick and tired of me saying that anything to do with safety, we won’t budge an inch. Taking this light out, although it may seem a small issue, it is a large issue,” Caranci says. “Nobody knows what’s happening inside a taxi cab unless that light were turned on if there was an issue.”

If the new plan is approved at the committee level, it will be sent to full council next week.

Edmonton became the first city in Canada earlier this year to legalize Uber when they created a new category for ride-sharing companies.