Taxis and Uber reject city's proposed ride-share regulations

Uberdrivers may no longer have to operate rogue on the streets of Edmonton, if city council passes a new bylaw drafted to regulate ride-share companies.

If new rules areapproved, Edmonton would be the first major Canadian city to legalize ride-share companies likeUber.

ButUberspokesperson Xavier VanChaudismissedthe proposed regulations as"unworkable."

Uberhas been operating illegally since December 2014.

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According to the proposed changes,Uberwould be ableto run its business in Edmonton, providingdrivers purchase a licence from the city andhave proper insurance.

The regulations will costUberdrivers,who have until now been operating for free. The city will expect drivers to pay nearly $1,000 every two years for the appropriatelicencesto legally pick up fares.

In a statement, VanChausaid the cost of obtaining a licence would be too much for drivers to bear.

"Most driver partners sign up on a short-term or part-time basis," he wrote. "With such rules, riders face the prospect of higher prices and unreliable service."

He saidUberwould prefer the cityfollow the example of other cities that have opted to regulate ride-share companies directly.

Some taxi drivers are also displeased, suggestingthe regulations are discriminatory.

JasbirGill, president of the Edmonton Taxi Association, saidUberwould havean unfair advantage because its fares will remain unregulated under the proposal.

Hesaid there was not enough consultation with taxi stakeholdergroups.

ScottMackie, manager of current planning, said no industry stakeholders were involved in drafting the bylaw, but the city weighed public interest in the new service with the safety of passengers and drivers.

"The approach that council is taking, is that they want a system that responds to the needs of the citizens of Edmonton, while protecting public safety," he said.

The drafted bylaw also requiresUberto share its data about drivers and rides taken.VanChausaidUberintends to continue working with the city on drafting new rules.

A judgestruck down the city's attempt to temporarily stopUber'sillegal operations with a court injunction in April.The city still has an application for a permanent injunction against the ride-share before the courts.

If the company is legalized under the new rules, director oflicencingGarryDziwenkasaid the city will seek advice fromits lawyers about what to do next.

Taxis also headed for change

Council will also consider easing rules that regulate taxis and limousines.

The new bylaw proposes cutting surcharges for vans and late-night service, and removing the cap on the number of accessible cabs allowed to operate in the city.

Taxi drivers will no longer have to undergo driver's training, English language testing, or provide a driver's abstract to get their licence from the city.

"The reason is that these requirements are better controlled by the industry," saidDziwenka.

Citycouncillorswill hear inputfrom the public on Sept. 16 before voting on the changes.