What’s in the Uber Deal?

Criminal background checks, car inspections and capped surge pricing among new rules for Uber

CBC.ca
Sept. 10, 2016
By Sabrina Narandola

The Quebec government reached a deal with the ride-hailing service Uber earlier this week - just one minute before deadline - allowing the company to continue operating in Quebec for another year.

But what is in that 11:59 p.m. agreement?

Here is a look at the Uber deal in detail.

Permits required

• Uber must obtain an intermediary permit for transportation services, which is issued by either the Quebec Transport Commission or by the Montreal Taxi Bureau.

• The government will make 300 permits (which are equivalent to taxi permits) available to Uber, which totals about 50,000 hours of service per week.

Pay Quebec

• During those first 50,000 hours of service, Uber must pay the government a fee of $0.90 per ride.

• Should Uber surpass 50,000 hours in a week, the fee increases according to the following chart:

• 50,001 to 100,000 hours = $1.10 per ride.

• 100,001 to 150,000 hours = $1.26 per ride.

Rules for Uber drivers

• Uber must ensure that all its drivers have a Class 4C driver's licence, which is called Taxis and Limousines. According to the Societe de l'automobile du Quebec's website, drivers can only be eligible for a class 4C licence if they've held a regular (Class 5) licence for at least one year, are in good health and pass a knowledge test.

• Any drivers already registered with Uber before Aug. 17, 2016 have three months to finalize the steps to get their 4C licence.

• Uber must ensure its drivers do not have criminal records.

• The government will allow Uber to train its own drivers.

• Uber must ensure that its drivers have their service cars undergo mechanical inspections.

• All service cars must have a sticker, issued by Uber, on the bottom right-hand corner of the front windshield.

• All drivers must have car insurance.

Prices for Uber users

• Anyone who uses the ride-hailing service can expect to pay a minimum of $3.45 per ride - the same as taxis - as soon as they step in the vehicle. If that minimum price for the taxi industry should rise, the same price would apply to Uber.

• Surge pricing would also be capped at times. In the event of an emergency (ex. flood, riot, etc.) Uber cannot charge more than one-and-a-half times its regular base tariff.

App only

• Uber must also agree that its service will only be available via its mobile app. Its drivers are forbidden to pick up customers who hail them from the street. They are also not allowed to park at taxi stands or drive in reserved taxi lanes.