French taxi drivers should embrace Uber-style technology – minister

After a series of meetings over a bylaw that would allow ride-sharing companies like Uber to operate in Edmonton legally, that bylaw was passed by City Council Wednesday.

The discussion Tuesday afternoon was interrupted when taxi drivers opposed to Uber started loudly chanting “shame, shame” inside the council chamber.

Mayor Don Iveson said the bylaw is a result of demand for more choice in the vehicle for hire industry.

Later the Alberta Taxi Group issued a statement in response to the vote, saying the group was disappointed, and the decision leaves Edmontonians “at the mercy of an unregulated market”.

“Edmonton is in a leadership position among Canadian cities in developing and implementing a response to ride sharing in the vehicle for hire industry”, says Peter Ohm, acting branch manager for Current Planning.

The matter did not challenge Uber’s mobile phone application and concerned only the written information the firm supplies to its drivers, the spokesman said.

Only traditional taxis will be allowed to pick up at taxi stands, arrange a trip by phone, or be hailed on the street. “We fully expect the city to finally crack down on Uber if they are still operating without the minimum requirements, such as drivers with class four licenses and provincially mandated insurance”, said Ryffel. But even if the provincial government provides the go-ahead, municipalities like the City of Vancouver still have the final say on whether such services can operate within their jurisdictions.