Council votes for review of UberX, taxi industry

Are Uber cabs better than taxis? Unlike licensed taxis, which have to follow a long list of rules and regulations, Uber operated outside of those rules by saying that it is not a taxi company.

There have been sporadic attacks against Uber drivers by Bogota’s regular taxis, while an Uber driver was shot at by cab drivers in Rio on Saturday, a taxi driver who witnessed the attack said.

In what has been a bumpy week for Uber, the ride-hailing app is now rallying Ottawa riders to email Mayor Jim Watson and tell him what they like about the service.

“Hundreds of thousands of Western Australians are now choosing Uber because it is safe, reliable, affordable and they love having it in their city”. Superior Court Judge Sean Dunphy said there was no evidence Uber operates as a taxi broker or breaches city bylaws, but Tory said the city will likely appeal Dunphy’s decision.

This aspect of the Uber experience reflects an overall trend in which we’re increasingly providing personal reviews and ratings to everyone and everything with which we come into contact.

Uber is coming under increased pressure as trade union federation Cosatu is now taking aim at the Internet ride-sharing service.

Uber has been in the news lately for its clash with the regulated taxi industry in Canadian cities.

“Taxi associations need to realise that it’s not about them; it’s about the user”.

Among the offences the private eyes will have to investigate include where drivers charge less or more than the required fare, are not suitably licensed, use a vehicle that is not suitably licensed or are not keeping appropriate records of services provided.

An online petition by Uber in Cape Town, South Africa, has asked for public support for obtaining operating permits at the earliest, after 200 of Uber cabs were confiscated by regulators for lack of licenses.

The latest regulations require Uber to pay a yearly license fee of US$101 for each vehicle, a transit fund charge of 1.5 percent of the company’s revenues in the country and ban on payment through cash. All Uber drivers are screened and must pass background checks and have personal auto insurance.

While Uber has contributed to more cars on the road, it is certainly conceivable that those cars are being used less.

Ironically enough, the mayor’s protection of NYC’s yellow taxis is in part responsible for Uber’s exponential growth in this respect.

Uber has faced opposition from cabdrivers in other cities including Paris, Mexico City and Sao Paulo, with conflict between cabbies and Uber drivers sometimes turning violent.

Similarly, council members pushing the legislation have been cozy with the owners, and one, Ydanis Rodriguez, head of the Transportation Committee, even suggested a bailout for owners because competition is lowering the value of the city-issued medallions.