“All the Uber drivers working out there, we don’t know about their insurance, we don’t know how many Uber drivers are on the road”, said Mughal. “We’ve come to the conclusion that we must take some action and I appreciate the other group who called for a demonstration and I will ask my members of iTaxiworkers Association, non-members, brokerages, everyone should participate in this job action to send a strong message to the city”, Mughal said.
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It is not clear what sort of job action is planned for Aug 17 but a representative for United Taxi Workers previously told CP24 that drivers will avoid blocking hospital areas or any emergency routes or major intersections during the job action.
The new bylaw governing the Vehicle-for-Hire industry, including taxicabs, limousines and PTCs, took effect on July 15. Is that not enough time to take their application and give them a license?
Tracey Cook, executive director of the city’s municipal and licensing and standards department is asking for patience. Due to that, we haven’t issued the actual licence to Uber yet. “He never listened to the industry and he will never listen to the industry unless we get united and we make a demonstration that he should at least enforce the bylaw he passed now three months back”. One month has gone by and… no PTC license has been issued.
Uber confirmed to Global News last week they have complied with all the new regulations despite not receiving the license on paper.
The taxi drivers union, which launched the protest on Tuesday morning and is still maintaining it in certain places, says that the drivers’ income has declined by up to 50 percent because of Uber’s operations since August 2015, a situation that is affecting some 40,000 families who depend on that activity for their livelihood. “The city has a phased application process and we expect to fulfill each phase as it becomes available”.
A taxi organization says it will protest the city’s delay’s in dealing with Uber because Mayor John Tory is so “in bed” with the ride-sharing company.
However, the vote was far from unanimous as some councillors argued the new bylaw was too lenient towards PTCs and would put passenger safety at risk.
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The policy has been prepared to curb irregularities by the app-based cab services like Ola and Uber.
