Hundreds of Montreal cabbies demand action to stop UberX

Taxi drivers parked their cars for more than an hour during a protest in an industrial park over the province’s lack of action.

Thestar.com
Aug. 25, 2015

Taxi drivers are staging demonstrations in cities across the province against the UberX ride-hailing service.

One of the biggest protests was held in Montreal Tuesday, where several hundred cabbies parked their vehicles for more than an hour in an industrial park.

Cab drivers listened to speeches slamming UberX and promised even stronger actions if the provincial government fails to act.

The drivers called on the government to clarify its position on the new service, which allows users to hail a car using an application on their smartphone.

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard suggested recently he’s open to legalizing the ride-booking service; Montreal’s mayor is strongly against it.

Frustrations ran high as several in the crowd of cabbies wanted to take their protest to the streets of downtown Montreal, but they were calmed by organizers.