The Uber debate came to Port Moody city hall Tuesday as the president of the BC Taxi Association urged council to be mindful of the service taxis provide — and the potential danger of the ride-sharing service.
Mohan Kang listed a number of benefits provided by licensed taxi drivers: their formal training and extensive background checks; comprehensive insurance; mandatory mechanical inspections and more. As well, drivers — small business entrepreneurs, Kang said — offer valuable community security as the constant "eyes and ears" on the road.
Uber does not offer such benefits, he said, stating the company consistently skirts regulations, the drivers are not trained and carry less robust insurance than taxis.
Earlier this week, representatives from Bel-Air Taxi were at Coquitlam council to caution the city against asking the provincial government for measures that would allow ride-share services like Uber to enter the market.
But as in Coquitlam, Port Moody suggested Tri-City residents haven't always been well-served by the taxi industry and a ride-share option might fill the void.
Mayor Mike Clay said too many people have hailed a cab downtown at 3 a.m. and then been refused a ride to the Tri-Cities.
Asked by Coun. Diana Dilworth what Kang would like the city to do, he requested the city write a letter to the provincial minister of transportation stating, "If Uber wants to come, we have no problem, but they must come through the front door" and abide by the same regulations applied to taxis.
In Canada, Uber currently operates in Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, Edmonton, Quebec City, Calgary, southwestern Ontario and more than 40 other cities. It is also used in 350 cities in other countries.
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