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Livery bylaw means big changes for taxi drivers Transportation
Regulated top rate set, but cabbies can charge less Helen Pike
Metro | Calgary Think Calgary’s rideshare bylaw discussion was all about Uber? City says hail no! Although Monday’s council conversation was dominated by the app-based service, one voice was absent from the rhetoric. Calgary’s cab industry, even in the ridershare giant’s absence, will see industry transformative changes with the city’s refreshed livery bylaw. Starting April 4, when the new bylaw comes into effect, new provisions in Calgary’s livery rules will mean a 180 for the ancient taxi industry. “During Stampede, demand is increased and there could be surge pricing in effect for appbased service,” read a statement from Carissa Vescio, city spokesperson. “Phone dispatch and street hail taxi service will con-
tinue to be subject to regulated maximum rates. The current taxi meter rate is now a maximum and taxi companies can choose to charge less, if they choose.” That means when you can’t get through phone lines and want a ride home, turning to the app could cost you. But the city doesn’t play a role in these deals, and Vescio said riders are notified of rates before taking their cab trip. As of Feb 23. most of Calgary’s top cab companies had apps up and running, giving them the power to launch on-demandlike ride services. Although the city isn’t overly concerned about surge pricing, the bylaw allows Transportation Network Companies and taxis to charge as they wish if using an app. Although Uber didn’t indicate plans to launch their UberBlack limousine system while trying to fix UberX hiccups with the city, existing limousine services now have provisions in the bylaw to become more on-demand than before. In fact, compared with the old bylaw, most of the limousine provisions have been stricken from record. The city got rid of minimum fares for limos as well as the 30-minute, advanced-arrange-
Phone dispatch and street hail taxi service will continue to be subject to regulated maximum rates. Carissa Vescio
Cabs now have new perks thanks to a bylaw upgrade passed Monday. The new city rules for the taxi industry take effect on April 1. metro file
ment time. They have also changed the types of vehicles considered limousines to a more general range. There’s no telling how the bylaw changes may unfold, but Mayor Naheed Nenshi told reporters Monday new is good. “We have really moved limousines into a brand new world, which by the way allows UberBLACK to operate,” said Nenshi. “We were able to do that in a way where we still have 87 per cent of people thinking we provide good service in that area.”
Ghost of uber lingers online Despite their adamant departure, Calgary isn’t rid of Uber yet. Ads on Kijiji still encourage drivers to sign up and become partners. But despite their haunting calls online — Uber is gone. On Monday, Calgary’s city council voted in favour for a livery bylaw refresh that would see Uber-like
ridesharing legalized as of April 4. The passed bylaw was similar to Edmonton’s successful model, where Uber will begin operations March 1. Shortly after the win by Calgary’s administration, the rideshare giant stated the new rules would be too cumbersome for their model. helen pike/metro
ridesharing
Meet Uber in middle: Councillor Brodie Thomas
Metro | Calgary The lone dissenter on the ridesharing bylaw vote thinks the city still needs to walk a bit further to meet Uber in the middle on some issues. Coun. Evan Woolley said he thinks the city came close in its negotiations and he put forth a motion arising that he felt would bridge the gap, but it didn’t pass muster. In the end, he voted against the proposal that passed Monday. “There’s a couple of key touch points that I think could’ve gotten us across the finish line and it’s unfortunate we didn’t get there,” said Woolley. Those two points are the fee structure and the mechanical inspections. As it stands, Uber drivers would pay the same annual fee, regardless of how much they drive. Woolley thinks there needs to be a sliding scale, or a pay-by-kilometre system, He noted in a ridesharing model, they are personal vehicles that will be used for a small fraction of time as commercial vehicles. He doesn’t think they require the same level of inspection as a taxi, which is running over 100 hours per week. “Had we moved from these two simple items, I think we would’ve had Uber staying in town right now.”