Uber could, at long last, be driving legally into Orillia’s marketplace.
On Monday night, a year after the issue first appeared on the radar at City Hall, council committee gave the green light for a public meeting to be held in May at which input would be sought on sweeping legislative changes that could pave the way for Uber.
Shawn Crawford, the city’s manager of legislative services, gave city councillors a glimpse into the potential changes Monday night as part of a 75-page report that included draft bylaws, input from taxi companies and other issues.
Crawford likened the “fairly involved and complex” report to a “consultation paper” meant to stimulate debate and garner feedback from the public and stakeholders.
There are three main components to the draft bylaw that is proposed to be considered by city council at some point after the public meeting.
“The first is a provision that would require what is referred to as transportation network companies (companies such as Uber, where the full transaction occurs through an ap from booking to paying),” said Crawford. “(Under the proposed rules) the company would be required to be licensed by the city and the drivers and the vehicles would be required to be registered by the city ... As part of those requirements, drivers would have to have criminal record checks and vehicles would require vehicle safety standards certificates.”
Secondly, Crawford is proposing that while the city would continue to regulate the taxi industry, some regulations would be removed “to level the playing field, so to speak, and to allow the taxi industry to compete in what I think is safe to say is a rapidly changing industry.”
For example, if the changes are adopted, taxi companies would no longer be required to have a permanent office in Orillia, would not have to be open 24 hours a day/365 days a year and could set their own rates.
Currently, all cab companies must charge the same prescribed fee. That would be relaxed, allowing the market to dictate fare prices.
“The third main component to the regulation is what I refer to as auxiliary service transportation companies,” said Crawford, noting that refers to local companies such as Happy at Home, Helping Hands and Going With Gibb. These companies, he said, provide transportation but also additional services.
“It was difficult for staff to differentiate between taxi and auxiliary service transportation because they do, in a sense, provide some of the same services. But, as it stands, auxiliary transportation is included in the draft bylaw.”
The initial reaction from owners of those companies, who were in attendance Monday night, was not favourable. Crawford stressed nothing is set in stone.
“A public meeting would be a great opportunity to hear from all industries affected and, of course, the public to obtain input before council ever made any final decision.”
Derick Lehmann, an Uber driver who was forced to “cease and desist” operations in Orillia until regulations were put in place, is pleased the city is finally tackling the issue.
“It’s great to see the city having the conversation about Uber,” he said. “Consumers deserve to have a choice when it comes to public transportation – whether it’s taking the bus, riding with a friend, taking a cab or using the Uber service.”
He agrees taxi companies need less regulation. “It’s something I believe that needs to happen so they can compete. Uber is a great service and I believe it will actually help the taxi companies become better in town.”
Lehmann noted Uber drivers will still need to pass background checks and have safety checks on their vehicles annually. “I believe with the rating system in place for both (Uber) riders and drivers along with GPS technology, they can actually increase the safety aspect.”
The Uber fan said the extensive report “mentions that not a single municipality that has investigated Uber has turned it down.” He also notes in the report that “not a single complaint was lodged from the public.”
He said, ultimately, it’s about choice. “The bottom line in my mind is the consumers deserve a choice,” Lehmann told OrilliaMatters. “Businesses will succeed or die based on where a consumer chooses to spend their money. I think this will encourage the cab companies to step up their game. They will have to in order to compete.”
