Council to consider adding cabs to combat Uber

Edmonton may need to license more taxisbefore it can drive Uber out of town, according to city staff.

Uber started operating in Edmonton latelast month. Driverscharge for rides but do not hold taxi licenses from the city, which makes them illegal under the Vehicle for Hire bylaw.

A report released Thursday outlines what can be done to steer people away from the car-sharing service. Uberallowscustomers to summon drivers through asmartphone app.

In the report, staff said the public supports the use of apps to improve taxi dispatch but says Edmonton doesn't have enough licensed cars to meet the demand.

Edmonton is short about 200 licensed taxis to meet the ideal ratio to population (17 cabs per 10,000 population).Only 1,319 cabs are legally allowed to operate within city limits.Local taxi service to the Edmonton International Airport adds even more pressure.

Staff made a number of recommendationswhich include removing the cap on the number of licences available to driversand the development ofa local taxpayer-fundedtaxi app.

Other options include releasing plates that allow taxis to operate only at night and on Friday and Saturday nights or plates that only allow taxis to work during the winter.

None of the recommendations suggest working with Uber, or allowing the serviceto operate in the city.

City staff refused to comment on the content ofthe report before councils executive committee discusses iton Tuesday.