UberX promoted via Calgary Transit app, despite being illegal in city - Action News
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Calgary

UberX promoted via Calgary Transit app, despite being illegal in city

Calgary Transit says it's fixing a glitch in its mobile app that saw the software recommending UberX as a travel option to users on Friday morning, despite the city issuing several warnings the day before about the ride-hailing service being illegal and dangerous.

Transit says it's fixing glitch in its mobile software, which was advising Calgarians to use ride-hailing app

Take the CTrain, or take UberX? Calgary Transit's mobile app was suggesting the new - and illegal - ride-hailing app to users on Friday morning in what the city says was a software glitch. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

Calgary Transit says it'sfixing a glitch in its mobile app that saw the software recommending UberX as a travel option to users on Friday morning, despite the city issuing several warnings the day before about the ride-hailingservice being illegal and dangerous.

A user reported seeing UberX offered as an optionin the app, among several suggested bus routes, and asked Calgary Transit via Twitter what was going on.

Calgary Transit's app was promoting UberX as a travel option, despite the city warning hours earlier that the ride-hailing service violates city bylaws and can't be guaranteed as safe. (Twitter/@cklibabeth83/Screenshot)

"Whoa that's crazy! I need to check the app on my phone now," anoperator of the Calgary Transit account replied.

Shortly afterward, Calgary Transit explainedthe function mistakenly came through on its versionof the app, which is based on software designed by a thirdparty,TransitApp, which has a partnership with Uber.

"Our team is removing that function," Calgary Transit tweeted.

UberX launched its ride-hailingservice in Calgary on Thursday, which the city says violates its bylaws governing taxis and limousines.

City officials warned UberX drivers they could face fines of $4,500 for offering vehicles for hire and accepting fares without a proper taxilicence.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi also advisedCalgarians against usingUberX, saying he's open to updating city bylaws to open the doors for new market entrants like this,but until that happens the city can't be sure of their safety.