It looks like Uber will be forced to shutdown in Alberta tomorrow, as the province has reiterated what will be required to operate there.
Transportation Minister Brian Mason announced Monday afternoon all Uber drivers will be required to obtain Class 4 licenses—required for commercial operators—in order to drive in the province, plus also pass police background check. Uber wanted the province to waive the Class 4 requirement, as it would require a written exam and road test, seen as a barrier for new drivers.
“It’s our position that people driving vehicles for commercial purposes are not using their vehicles for the same purposes as those with a Class 5 licence,” said Mason, according to CBC News.
“The bottom line is that the Class 4 requirement is essential for the safety of both passengers and drivers.”
Another issue at stake is insurance, which would not be ready in time for tomorrow’s deadline of new regulations for ridesharing companies like Uber in Alberta, which will require provincially-approved insurance.
Intact Insurance has a policy for Uber drivers, but requires approval from the province’s superintendent of insurance—which won’t be ready until July 1, 2016. Intact said last week a final agreement had not been reach, despite the superintendent approving technical aspects of the policy.
As for Calgary, city council passed new bylaws which added stricter requirements for Uber last week.
On the weekend, Uber protested at the legislature in Edmonton to pressure the province to meed their demands, or announced a shutdown of the service would occur. Base fares for UberX in Edmonton started at $2.75, while extra minutes were charged at $0.25 each, while per kilometre charges were $0.85.
Well, looks like Uber had a fun ride in Alberta, but the company will have no choice but to pull its services to the curb.
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Bravo. 😛 Now all of those laid off Albertan’s have one less way to make a few extra bucks. It’s hard for politicians to care about the price of a cab when they get to expense it most of the time.
The other way to look at is that now those guys who have been making their living driving cabs for many years can now rest assured they aren’t going to be out of a job, or losing significant income to people looking to steal their customers and circumvent the regulations they had to go through to make a quick buck.
oh boo hoo! Look everybody, the fat-cow/lazy/archaic industry is crying because they don’t want change!
Taxi drivers in Toronto with all the regulations and vetting are still horrendous compared to Uber drivers. They are not accountable, nor do they care to be.
This isn’t about the drivers, it’s about having the proper license for the proper job.
Yes, you are right – and what is a “proper job”
I’m saying there is no such thing that exists, and if it doesn’t – then what’s the point of all this red tape.
Leave it to a free market society; if consumer is willing to own the risk let consumer make the choice.
So you’re a fan of anarchy, got it. I think Russia might suit your needs better than Canada.
The law makes perfect sense though, all taxi drivers have to get a class 4 so why shouldn’t UBer drivers need the same to operate the same service??
Uber is not a taxi company. Ontario court sided with Uber on this last year.
Uber is not a taxi company but its drivers are still taxi drivers. The court battle about the drivers and UberX is still pending/ongoing.
Ronald Reagan, “the nine most terrifying words in the english lanuage are, ‘Im from the government and im here to help'”.
In this case the government didn say they were there to help. They said they were going to enforce the law. Meaning cab drivers can continue to make a living without being undercut by a company that breaks laws to cut costs.
Unless you are against all laws such as burglary assault and murder then your quote makes no sense. Plus government increased under Reagan. Look it up.
Nice to see a corrupt company going away. Now to improve the taxi industry
All the best Barry
Mansplaining 1.0. Love it!
Stifling innovation
Ensuring a level playing field doesn’t “stifle innovation” it creates equal opportunity for all players, old or new.
Funny, though, how an “innovative” company like Uber can’t compete when they’re forced to follow the law.
Just by having expendible, archaic, sunk – physical assets and inventory with legacy regulatory standards – doesn’t make it equal opportunity when innovation comes knocking.
If it were – Apple wouldn’t exist.
Yay! Go TappCar go!
Good. Uber is acting like a spoiled brat, thinking they are entitled and somehow has privilege to make demands here in Canada. “Do this or else” just got backfired.
So which taxi company do you work for?
The I actually try to look at both good and bad side company.
How much did Uber pay you to ask that?