Regional safety concerns over Uber app
Posted Jan 14, 2015 11:00:07 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A new transit app is causing concerns for staff at the Region of Waterloo.
The app, Uber, which allows users to order a ride from a person rather than a cab company, currently operates in a number of Canadian cities and is looking for drivers in Waterloo Region.
Concerns over safety regulations has regional staff putting the breaks on the app making its way here.
The Region has a standard fare system that ensures consumers are charged equally and fairly regardless of condition.
Currently all taxis operate under the region’s taxi and limousine by-laws which licences the industry in order to protect those using the service. It is not clear if Uber operates under a similar by-law.
A statement from the Region outlines that, “the purpose of the Region of Waterloo’s Taxi and Limousine By-laws are to license the industry in order to protect the users of the system. The licensing system ensures that consumers receive a safe ride in a safe vehicle. Regional staff is concerned that Uber may not provide an appropriate level of investigation or inspection of vehicles or the people who drive them.”
Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris uses Uber frequently and tells 570 News, the service allows users to access in-depth information about the driver and vehicle before getting picked up.
The Region of Waterloo is aware that Uber is already in the Region attempting to recruit drivers and hope to meet with Uber officials later this week.
The Region has also made it clear that their concerns won’t be settled until they receive either greater clarity and/or additional information from Uber.
