More than two weeks after new regulations were implemented for ridesharing services in Toronto, a spokesperson for the the taxi industry says Uber continues to "flaunt the law."
A bylaw creating a separate licensing class for ridesharing services like Uber was officially put into place on July 15.
Under the bylaw, licensed ridesharing services will have to adhere to minimum standards pertaining to the type of insurance possessed by its drivers as well the type and condition of vehicles that are used to transport customers.
Uber, however, has not yet received its license and therefore has not been forced to comply with the terms of the bylaw.
For its part, the city has said that it hopes to grant Uber its licence by the end of the month. The company applied for it on July 15 when the bylaw went into effect.
“It’s been two weeks since the by law has been in place and Uber continues to flaunt the law just as they have done in the past,” Toronto Taxi Alliance spokesperson Sam Moini told CP24 on Wednesday. “They should have their license in place, they should have their drivers insured and they should be having their vehicles inspected today.”
Moini told CP24 that the frustration of taxi drivers is “very high” due to the fact that they have had to follow existing regulations while Uber has been awaiting the granting of its license.
Though Moini refused to confirm reports that taxi drivers are planning a protest, he did say that it something that could be on the table.
The operations manager of one of the city's largest taxi companies, Beck, issued a statement Wednesday afternoon urging drivers not to take part in a protest as it could potentially disrupt the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival.
"Beck empathizes with the frustrations drivers are feeling and recognizes the drawn out process to deal with Uber has been time consuming and exhaustive for many," Kristine Hubbard, the Operations Manager at Beck, said in the statement.
"At the same time, Beck does not believe inconveniencing Torontonians or visitors to our city is the appropriate course of action, especially during an important event like the Toronto International Film Festival."
"Beck has always believed in communicating and consulting with fellow industry members and we do not feel the intention to protest represents the goals of most industry members."
Meanwhile, in a statement to CP24 Uber said it has “been working to come into compliance” with the new bylaw and “looks forward” to receiving its license soon.
“The city has a phased application process and we expect to fulfill each phase as it becomes available,” the statement said.
According to a City of Toronto spokesperson, Uber has already provided proof that it has an insurance policy in place for its drivers and has been working “cooperatively” with municipal licensing and standards staff throughout the licensing process.
