Regional bylaw to regulate Uber on hold

570news.com
Dec. 9, 2015
By Martin Bauman and Christine Clark

The Region of Waterloo is hitting the ‘pause’ button on a bylaw that would regulate Uber.

They’re deciding to wait and see how other governments handle the ride-sharing app.

The licensing and hearings committee has decided to wait until late January or early February for a report on options for a new bylaw and also to see whether a private member’s bill at the provincial level gets any traction.

The original plan was to have a bylaw in place for the start of the new year.

President of the Waterloo Region Taxi Alliance, Bill Chester tells 570 News that they support this decision.

“We’re pleased that the Region has taken the time to re-examine the new bylaw, they understand that it is a lot more complex than just making a quick decision to accommodate these illegal taxis, we’re very happy at the Waterloo Taxi Alliance.”

He adds no local drivers were part of the protests in Toronto on Wednesday.

“It’s not our style here ... our style in the Waterloo Region is we’re operating legally, we actually condemn that type of reaction because it’s playing right into the hands of Uber ... it’s lawless.”

As of now, Uber cars are considered illegal taxis.