Uber and other ridesharing companies officially legal in Brampton

Bramptonguardian.com
July 8, 2018
Maryam Mirza

Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft can officially operate legally in Brampton, after more than two years of operations being suspended by city council.

In a council meeting on June 27, the Mobile Licensing Bylaw was amended to include a new personal transportation company (PTC) vehicle license category that will allow ridesharing companies to continue operations in the city.

The new bylaw requires PTCs to pay an annual $20,000 licensing fee and 30 cents for every ride to the city.

It also requires PTCs to ensure all vehicles meet the bylaw requirements, collect driver and vehicle information, record check and criminal record check of all drivers.

Brampton puts the brakes on Uber until further notice
“Brampton’s population is rapidly expanding, and our residents are demanding more flexible transportation options to move around the city and beyond,” Mayor Linda Jeffrey said.

In 2016, council suspended operation of Uber and other ridesharing companies in the city to give the municipality time to draft new regulations around ridesharing companies operations.

Following the suspension, city staff, along with the taxi advisory committee (TAC), began a review of the Mobile Licensing Bylaw which involved public consultations with industry stakeholders such as the city’s taxis, operators and Uber drivers. 

According to the city’s press release, the licensing of ridesharing companies will help meet the growing needs of city’s residents, while also allowing for increased competition and innovation in the industry.

Chair of taxi advisory committee Gurpreet Dhillon, however, voted against the PTC bylaw, tabling amendments that included the city giving PTC drivers electronic license numbers to track pickup of customers by drivers and ensuring the PTC receive authorization from the driver’s personal insurance permitting using insurance for commercial purposes.

Ultimately, Dhillon’s amendments -- supported by Coun. Pat Fortini and Coun. Martin Medeiros -- were rejected at the council meeting and the bylaw was passed.

“On behalf of the TAC, I am expressing their disappointment that their amendments to the new PTC bylaw to ensure driver and consumer protection were not accepted,” Dhillon said.

He added that he will continue to work with the taxi industry going forward to “ensure the industry is balanced and fair.”