Halifax Regional Council is considering bylaw changes to increase oversight of ride-hailing drivers, which Uber opposes, citing concerns about higher fares and increased red tape. The proposed changes would require ride-hailing drivers to submit documents for review similarly to taxi drivers.
An Uber sign is displayed at the company's headquarters in San Francisco, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jeff Chiu HALIFAX — Halifax Regional Council is poised to debate bylaw changes that could impose more oversight on drivers working for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft.
Uber is opposed to the proposed changes, saying they would lead to higher fares, too much red tape, additional fees for drivers an no improvements for passenger safety. Halifax council is expected to discuss the proposals at its next meeting on Jan. 27.How does the regulation of taxis and ride-hailing companies differ in Halifax? Ride-hailing drivers in Halifax are subject to the same background checks and training as taxi and limousine drivers. But there’s a difference in how the test results are reviewed. While taxi drivers hand their documents to the municipality, ride-hailing drivers submit them to their employer. Last month, a report produced by municipal staff recommended a bylaw amendment that would require ride-hailing drivers to do the same as their taxi-driving colleagues.Taxi and ride-hailing drivers must submit to scans for criminal records, child abuse allegations and a police check for those working with vulnerable people. Uber has said the municipality can have access to those documents. All government officials have to do is ask for them, company officials say.Mayor Andy Fillmore said Tuesday he is opposed to the recommended changes, saying they will “add more red tape for drivers and the municipality while raising costs for users and drivers.” Fillmore suggested Uber and other ride-hailing companies could enter into a data-sharing agreement with the municipality that would require regular updates about driver information. As well, he said recurring audits would be a good idea. He said further discussion is warranted because only four jurisdictions in Canada — Calgary and Red Deer in Alberta, and Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan — are moving forward with models similar to the one proposed for Halifax. Fillmore said the Halifax model is cumbersome and would drain staff resources while driving up the cost of using ride-hailing vehicles.Uber Canada spokesperson Keerthana Rang issued a brief statement late Tuesday after Regional Council approved the mayor’s motion to defer debate on the topic for another two weeks. “We are encouraged that council took the time to listen to drivers’ concerns that the staff report would add red tape and increase costs, with no additional safety benefit,” Rang said in an emailed statement. “We look forward to working collaboratively with the city on next steps.” Uber Canada says the proposed changes include $135 in new fees for drivers and an additional $100 every two years. Last Friday, Uber Canada called on all of its drivers in the Halifax region to send protest messages to council members. Coun. Sam Austin said he received between 100 and 200 emails from drivers last weekend.Co-founded by Calgary-based entrepreneur Garrett Camp in 2010, the Canadian service was launched on March 15, 2012, in Toronto. By 2022, Uber Canada had expanded to 140 municipalities in nine provinces. In all, 17 million people in Canada took a trip or ordered a delivery with Uber during those first 10 years. As well, 600,000 drivers and delivery people worked as Uber contractors, earning a total of $7.8 billion. The company set up shop in Halifax in 2020. And the ride-hailing service Lyft started offering services last month.
Uber Halifax Ride-Hailing Regulations Taxis
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Halifax council to discuss providing more oversight for ride-hailing companiesHalifax regional council is reviewing a recommendation for the municipality to provide more oversight for drivers working for Uber and other ride-hailing companies.
Read more »
Trump's Shifting Economic Promises and Ongoing Policy DebatesThis article provides a detailed look at the Trump administration's immigration policies and actions, as reported by HuffPost. It also covers the former president's shifting stance on economic promises, including the proposed distribution of stimulus checks and the potential use of tariff revenue for this purpose. The piece examines the context behind these statements and actions, the responses of the media, and provides vital information regarding the impact of these policies on those who are affected.
Read more »
Kiefer Sutherland Arrested After Alleged Assault of Ride-Hail DriverActor Kiefer Sutherland was arrested early Monday morning in Los Angeles on suspicion of criminal threats following an alleged assault on a ride-hail driver. The incident occurred near Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Ave. Sutherland was released on bond and is scheduled for a court appearance in February.
Read more »
Kiefer Sutherland Arrested Following Incident with Ride-Hail DriverActor Kiefer Sutherland was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of criminal threats after an altercation with a ride-hail driver. The incident occurred near Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. Sutherland was released on bond and is scheduled for a court appearance.
Read more »
2 men charged after fleeing R.I.D.E. checkpoint and ramming police cruisers in OshawaTwo Oshawa men are facing multiple charges after fleeing a R.I.D.E. checkpoint, crashing into another vehicle, and intentionally ramming police cruisers before being arrested following a K9-assisted search.
Read more »
Five things to know about the emerging debate over ride-hailing companies in HalifaxHalifax Regional Council is poised to debate bylaw changes that could impose more oversight on drivers working for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft.
Read more »