Cab driver pounds on UberX car, dragged 20 metres in Toronto protest

In a shocking scene caught on video, a taxi driver was dragged more than 20 metresin downtown Torontowhile confronting a driver working for the ride-hailing service Uber.

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The incident happened as cab drivers across the city wereconverging on city hall to protestUber, which they say is flouting city bylaws and cutting into their bottomline.

The cabbie, who identified himself to CBC News as a taxi driver with 22 years of experience, confronted the driver of a white Honda Civic onBay Street near Queen Street West, close tocity hall.

An Uber Canada spokesperson called the incident "frightening,"and said the company has spoken with both the driver and passenger who were in the Honda. Neither washarmed.

The confrontation begins when the taxi driverpounds on the window of the Honda as it's stopped near a traffic light.

"This is UberX," hesays, with news cameras rolling.

The man then tries to open the driver'sside door of the car whilepounding the window. The caraccelerates and dragsthe man before eventually coming to a stop at another red light.

The Honda drives through the intersection,leaving the cab driverstanding in the middle of traffic.

The cab driverappearsunhurt and, gasping for breath,spoke with reporters seconds after the incident.

"We are trying to get a point across, that's what we're trying to do," he said.

New video emerges

UberX confrontation (Credit: Albert Kleyen/Facebook)

9 years ago

Duration 0:34

Albert Kleyen, the UberX passenger who was inside the vehicle, captured video of the confrontational incident, which he posted on Facebook.

Albert Kleyen,the Uberpassenger who was inside the vehicle, also captured video of the incident, which he posted on Facebook.

From inside the car, you can see the taxi cab driver speaking to reporters.

"This is crazy," Kleyen says on the video.

Moments later, you can hear the taxi driver pound on the door,and there are more bumping noises as the UberX driver tries to escape the situation and the taxi driver clings to the side of the car.

"Jesus Christ,"Kleyen says.

Citywide protest underway

Sajid Mugha, of the iTaxiWorkers Association, told CBC News the taxi driver's behaviour is "unacceptable,"but said the video "illustrates the frustration of our drivers."

"If someone was stealing your food, how would you feel?" Mugha said.

Mugha said the taxi group is attempting to contact the driver to speak with him, and in no wayendorses this behaviour.

Uber Canada also condemned the altercation.

"We were alarmed to see this act of taxi aggression against Toronto Uber users," said Uber's Susie Heath in an email to CBC News.

The company also criticized the citywide taxi protest, saying: "rather than blocking the roads and causing fear and frustration, we believe that open collaboration is the best path forward."

Mayor asks cab drivers to 'stand down'

Mayor John Tory, speaking with reporters at city hall, called the incident captured on video "profoundly unacceptable" andasked cab drivers to stop their protest before the afternoon commute.

• Anti-uber taxi drivers' tactics 'not acceptable,' Mayor John Tory says

"I am specifically requesting cab drivers to stand down," Tory said.

He also warned taxi driversthey could be driving people toward Uber instead of away from it. Still, the mayor said, he understands cab drivers are struggling and he is keeping the pressure on staff who are working to modernize the city's ground transportation bylaws.

In September, Toronto citycouncil askedstaff to develop new rules to accommodateUber in its taxi and limousine bylaws, with an added request that Uber cease operations until those rules are established.

ButUber has continued to operate, frustrating traditional cabbies.

In Wednesday's protest,cabs from across the city gathered at four marshalling points before heading toward downtown. They slowed traffic on highways outside the city, and stopped traffic outside Queen's Park before heading to city hall.

Cabbie in Uber protest confrontation speaks

9 years ago

Duration 0:44

In a shocking scene caught on video, a Toronto taxi driver was dragged more than 20 metres while confronting a driver he alleges was working for the ride-hailing service Uber.