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City to propose terms for legalization of Uber in Mississauga
Recommendations for an 18-month pilot project will be presented on March 22

Mississauga.com
March 20, 2017
Rachael Williams  

Uber could soon be allowed to legally operate in Mississauga.

A report will be presented to general committee on Wednesday outlining recommendations for an 18-month pilot project beginning July 1 that will see the city license Uber and other transportation network companies (TNC) under new regulations. Similar to the regulation models adopted by Ottawa and Oakville, the pilot project would allow Uber to self-regulate under rules set by the municipality, adhering to periodic reviews by an independent auditor.

The terms of the pilot project come after a protracted council battle over the disruptive technology, which has threatened the business of traditional taxis.

“The report before council is an important opportunity to level the playing field by modernizing rules and regulations to ensure Mississauga is a city in step with the times, and with what the public wants,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie.

But veteran taxi owner Peter Pellier says the report does not go far enough to creating a level playing field and will leave cabbies "high and dry" in the face of incalculable financial hardship.

“Granting Uber virtually everything it sought, from open entry to self-regulation, not only compromises consumer safety and protection, but also, ensures the plight of Mississauga's cabbies will continue unabated,” wrote Pellier in an emailed statement to The News.

As part of the regulations, the city will charge TNCs a $20,000 brokerage licensing fee, as well as an additional fee of 30 cents for each ride originating in Mississauga. 

Staff anticipates $850,000 in annual revenue to be generated from the program, which will offset the cost of eight contract staff and associated program delivery costs.

The TNCs will also be required to collect and maintain driver abstracts, vehicle information and safety certificates, as well as conduct criminal record checks. Random audits will be performed by the city to ensure the validity of the information. 

English language tests are not required to be taken by TNC drivers and will be suspended as a mandatory requirement for taxi drivers during the duration of the pilot project. 

The report also recommends loosening restrictions on the taxi industry by repealing the requirement for in-car cameras and mandatory vehicle inspections. It also allows taxicab operators to use a smartphone app to book trips, with the price of that trip determined by the rate identified by the app, not the conventional meter rate. 

But according to Pellier, the report recommendations jeopardize the city’s long-standing history with the taxi industry and safety of Mississauga residents. 

“Should council adopt the report's recommendations as presented, make no mistake, our blood will be on your hands. Such is the inevitability of betrayal and injustice.”

An estimated 25,000 individuals are registered with Uber as drivers and can conduct business in Mississauga. Staff estimates 60,000 trips per week are occurring in the city. 

"The rise and popular demand of transportation network companies has presented new challenges for communities across Canada," said Crombie, adding innovation, technology and growth are driving competition in the taxi industry. 

"The debate about how to regulate TNCs is not going away and we need to get it right."

SIDEBAR
Proposed TNC regulations include: