City continuing to work on draft bylaw for Uber

CTVnews.ca
Jan. 6, 2016
By Michael Franklin

Officials are continuing to work on a bylaw that would allow Uber to set up in Calgary, just as there is a renewed push for new rules to be put in place to restrict the ride-sharing service from using surge pricing.

Surge pricing occurs when the service decides to jack up the cost of the service during peak times, like on New Year’s, when demand exceeds supply.

The policy gives drivers more incentive to work during the busy times, and Uber says that customers aren’t kept in the dark about it either. They’ll be given a notification when higher rates are in effect before they agree to ride.

City council says they’re already looking to include protections in the bylaw for Calgarians.

It will include an agreement between the customer and the driver on the price before the ride begins, and allow for some leeway depending on traffic delays of any kind along the way.

Andre Chabot, Ward 10 councillor, says it really does come down to ‘buyer-beware’ with the service, but agrees that the rate of 8.9 times the regular fare charged to a St. Albert man on New Year’s Eve was a bit excessive.

“I think there should be some upper limits placed on how much of a surcharge should be in place; maybe five times the regular rate.”

Administration has until February 22 to draft the new bylaw and bring it to council.