80 cabbies to drive home Uber complaints in Markham

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 19, 2015
By Amanda Persico


Paul Bhatthal, who is president of Astro Taxi, and other local drivers stand at city hall in protest in Vaughan.

Up to 80 taxi cab drivers will descend upon the Markham Civic Centre in a effort to get support to ban Uber operations in the city.

“We’re in discussion with all Markham drivers,” said Royal Taxi general manager, Spiros Bastas. “We plan to leave just enough taxis on the road for regular business. The rest of the drivers will be there (at the meeting Monday).”

Markham taxi drivers submitted a petition earlier this fall with close to 80 signatures calling on the city to change its licensing bylaw to include provisions for Uber.

“We want to send a strong word to councillors,” said Markham and Avenue Taxi general manager, Akram Aboucharaf.

“(Markham) should consider Uber illegal transportation. This affects the drivers’ lives. They all have families.”

Aboucharaf and Bastas, together, are spearheading the charge from local taxi drivers and various taxi companies and representing a united front against Uber.

During Monday’s committee meeting, councillors will get an update on how Uber works and how it is affecting current local licensed taxi operators.

Monday’s presentation will focus on what Markham can do to better regulate Uber operations.

The committee has already heard from local taxi drivers on the impact of Uber, a ridesharing app that connects passengers with drivers instantly.

Uber users are also offered a flat-rate fee and can pay via mobile device.

Since Uber drivers are unlicensed under the city’s licensing bylaws, taxi drivers called on the city to crack down.

Some of the concerns presented by local taxi drivers include the lack of commercial insurance carried by Uber drivers. The typical Uber driver only carries personal auto insurance, Bastas said.

Last month, some councillors argued it is the local taxi companies that should change, not Uber.

But companies such as Royal Taxi and Markham and Avenue Taxi both have call-a-ride apps, Bastas said.

It’s not about the technology service, he added. It’s about proper licensing, leveling the playing field and providing safe and consistent service.

Uber is a more widespread concern and Markham staff are suggesting a more GTA-wide strategy.

City staff are currently working with Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Brampton and Mississauga to come up with a comprehensive Uber policy.

Yorkregion.com reached out to Uber's media relations for comment on this story but did not receive a response before deadline.