Bylaw Legalizing Uber Set for Vote in Waterloo This August

What is uberx1

Uber is about to become legal in Waterloo region: the licensing and hearings committee finalized a bylaw encompassing “traditional and non-traditional taxi services,” reports CBC News. The bylaw will now head to the Region of Waterloo council and may pass in August this year.

In drafting the bylaw, the committee took into consideration feedback from the locals and the message was clear, the press release announcing the bylaw reads:

Public input was clear, they wanted both options – they wanted choice. Drivers, owners and brokers will now have a similar license structure that achieves public safety and consumer protection.

The new regulation requires both ridesharing and traditional taxis to face the same driver screening standards, vehicle requirements and insurance rules. This means Uber vehicles will need to provide $2 million in liability coverage and be able to prove it.

There is a point where more work is needed, though: cameras. The region’s taxi industry would like to see cameras in Uber vehicles as well, so that’s something the council will need to decide when it debates the bylaw in August.

If it passes, the new regulation may be implemented starting October 1, 2016.

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