Uber could relaunch in Calgary in time for the holidays, according to councillor Evan Wooley, speaking to CBC News.
This week, the city’s Livery Transport Advisory Committee will vote on recommendations to introduce a new fee structure and application process available online, which could lead Uber to return to the city.
Calgary passed amendments to its livery transport bylaws back in February, but Uber said they were unworkable at the time. Existing fees charge ride-hailing companies $1,753 per year, plus $220 per driver.
The amendments would see companies pay an admin fee based on number of drivers, plus an additional license fee per driver and on each trip, while applications can be made online, instead of in person.
“We want to ensure there is a healthy and vibrant taxi system in the city as well, but I remain quite hopeful and heartened by these changes and look forward to hopefully having Uber operating in the city by the time the holidays come around,”” Woolley told CBC News.
Uber was receptive of the progress, saying “We have been engaged in a dialogue with the city of Calgary and we hope that the proposed changes will be approved by council so that Calgarians can benefit from ridesharing,” noted Uber Canada spokesperson Jean-Christophe de Le Rue.
Last fall, the city was granted a temporary court injunction against Uber, noting the latter had breached city bylaws with their “potentially unsafe service.”
This February, Uber abandoned Calgary, when city council adopted new rules for ride-sharing services, which required more checks and balances for ride-sharing drivers, which Uber opposed.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi has held firm in the city’s negotiations with Uber, even speaking to the press about calling Uber competitor Lyft to come to the city. In April, Nenshi was caught calling Uber “dicks” in a candid conversion on Periscope, but later apologized.
