After Cab Drivers’ Video, Uber Drivers in Ottawa Charged

When is Uber not being targeted by taxi drivers?

Taxi service Uber’s classification of drivers is being challenged in California, threatening the company’s business model within the state.

The group secretly filmed an Uber ride from Barefax in the ByWard Market to the Marriott Hotel, capturing the car’s licence plate and questioning the driver about his business. Splitting into two groups, the attendees discussed some of the sticking points about Burlington’s current regulations.

Following through on their promise to keep recording their efforts, Ottawa taxi drivers released a second undercover video Saturday of an Uber trip taken downtown.

Almost 150 charges have been laid against drivers accused of operating an Uber since the service launched in Ottawa in October 2014. 37 of them have pleaded guilty so far and the total of the fines is close to $22,000.

However, they did not post the driver’s name or personal information, as was done in the first undercover video. While he sounded very confident there, he had very weak answers in regard to the safety of customers and drivers, insurance issues and city bylaws.

A lot of drivers “enjoy the flexibility and autonomy and independence that the Uber app provides”, said attorney Theodore Boutrous who is representing the company.

The cab drivers behind the video say their goal is to gather evidence to help bylaw officers lay charges against more Uber drivers.

“Cease and desist”, Ottawa Police Service Chief Charles Bordeleau said.

On Friday, Bordeleau said these actions aren’t helping enforce the bylaws that Uber drivers may be breaking. The city has told the people collecting evidence to stop and call 311. Laura Shen, an Uber rep, responded politely that outsourcing that responsibility to the city was likely a “nonstarter” for the company – a phrase she would repeat several times during the discussion. A few weeks ago, the service caused chaos in France, after taxi drivers started protesting and rioting. France decided to suspend the service later that day.