Council To Address Uber Regulations

Blackburnnews.com
March 27, 2017
By Maureen Revait

Windsor city councilors will discuss new bylaws and regulations for Transportation Network Companies like Uber operating within the municipality at tonight’s council meeting.

Recommendations include mandating drivers to take training courses, requiring the TNCs to obtain driver background checks, and vehicle inspections.

Unifor Local 195 Vice-President, John Toth who represents Veteran Cabs drivers says he’s disappointed in the report because he says it does nothing to level the playing field between the licensed cab drivers and Uber drivers.

“Where taxis have much more stringent rules, the Ubers the TNC vehicles seem to be exempt from those rules, and are asked to follow less of a standard in terms of licensing, in terms of inspections,” says Toth.

The city report recommends the TNCs be responsible for providing the city with operational data, such as background record checks of drivers, vehicle inspection records, trip sheets and proof of insurance. Toth believes the city should have more control over that licensing.

Toth would also like to see a limit on the amount of TNC vehicles allowed to operate in the city.

“We’re asking for fairness and a level playing field and that seems to be what everyone can agree upon. We don’t have a consensus in terms of limiting the amount of vehicles which has been our position all along. Taxi cabs are limited to maintain the supply and demand,” says Toth.

He says since Uber was introduced into the Windsor market drivers have lost about 10% of their business. Local 195 is holding a rally in front of city hall at 5:00pm prior to tonight’s council meeting.