Greg Norton seeks Uber bylaw in Saint John

A Saint John councillor wants to change city bylaws to allow ride-sharing companies, such as Uber, to set up in the city.

Coun. Greg Norton has put a motionon Monday'scouncil agenda that would lead to creation of a ride-sharing bylaw.

Norton said it is inevitable that services, such as Uber, will come to the city and, without a proper bylaw in place, the two industries would be on a "collision course."

Norton said one of his roles as a city councillor is to welcome new industries and "signal the message that we are progressive ... we welcome new ways of creating employment, new ways of delivering transportation to our citizens and new options."

Norton's motion, if approved, would direct the city manager to draft a ride-sharing bylaw that "ensures the protection of the public, while recognizing the inherent differences between ride-sharing and the traditional taxi and limousine industries."

The move is being greeted with skepticism by long-time taxi industry leaders, such as Paul Ram, who owns 11 cabs.

Ram said many Saint John taxi drivers are just getting by.

"I think it will create [a] big uproar," said Ram.

"They sometimes go home with pittance. So it is already hard to survive and it will be harder if another outfit comes here."

The councillor's proposal is coming on the heels of another major shift in the city's taxi industry.

After years of wrangling and extensive negotiations with taxi companies and drivers Saint John council passed a new taxi bylaw in June.

The new bylaw overhauled the industry and makes it difficult, if not impossible, for ride-sharing programs to set up.

The bylaw, which goes into effect next May, defines a vehicle "being used to transport a person for remuneration" as a taxi and goes on to list a series of requirements for both the vehicle and the driver.

Among those conditions are the use of a "registered, calibrated and sealed" taxicab meter.

Norton voted in favour of the bylaw but says a "parallel" bylaw can allow the two industries to coexist.

Uber'sarrival sparks controversy

The arrival of Uber has caused councils in other cities across North America to scramble to come up with laws that govern the industry.

Edmonton and Toronto city councils, for instance, are both considering regulations that would legalize the use of the ride-sharing app, and both are facing resistance from the taxi industry in their cities.

The loss of business to the app has also prompted protests in cities where Uber is operating.

It is unclear how profitable the program would be in Saint John.

Armin Ahmadi, who drives cab for Saint John Taxi, said he doubts Uber drivers could compete with low taxi rates in the city.

"It's a small town," said Ahmadi.

"From west side to east it only takes a few bucks."

But Uber already has some fans in Saint John, who would like to see it move to the city.

Majid Bamohrez used the ride-share service a couple of times recently while in Toronto.

He said he is happy with the result and says the drivers were friendly.

"You just pay for it through the phone," said Bamohrez.

"You don't even have to pay cash or anything so, it's that simple. And it's very easy."