Calgary taxi companies join national PR battle as Uber extends reach

Two Calgary taxi companies are banding together with several others in six Canadian cities to wage a public opinion war over ride-sharing services like Uber.

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Associated Cab and Checker Yellow Cabs are part of the Canadian Taxicab Companies group, which has started a website called Taxi Truths.

The group says its goal is to educate Canadians about the differences between regulated taxi companies and ride-sharing services like U.S.-based Uber, which has begun expanding to Canadian cities including Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.

Kurt Enders, president ofCheckerYellow Cabs, said the campaign is not specifically aimed at Uber.

Its aimed at all unregulated operators that want to enter the marketplace, he said.

UberXuses asmartphoneapp to connect passengers with drivers in privately owned vehicles. In other cities where the service has launched,Uberhas not sought taxi licences for drivers.

If they want to come in, we've been operating under a regulated industry. I guess the question is why won't they come in and follow the same rules and regulations that we currently follow today? Enders said.

Campaign 'desperate,' says Uber

The insurance industry has also raised concerns about ride-sharing companies having adequate insurance to protect drivers and the public in the event of a collision.

Last week Vancouvers taxi industry filed a lawsuit against Uber and is seeking an injunction to prevent it from starting up in that city.

But anUberspokesperson says the company is not concerned.

"We don't expect a desperate PR campaign to change the fact that incities around the world, including here in Canada, consumers are making it known that they wantUber," said LaurenAltmin in an email.

"For decades, the Canadian taxi industry cared nothing about working to serve residents and visitors. Rather than make an effort to listen and meet consumer expectations of quality, safety and reliability, theyre undertaking a smear campaign to protect their cartel.

"We welcome a substantive discussion on our safety initiatives, but the facts won't change:Uberoffers the safest ride on the road."