Decision on Uber by-law changes delayed

There was talk that Uber may be back in Calgary for the holiday season, but that may not happen now that a city committee has put off a decision on changes to a current by-law.

The Livery Transport Advisory Committee spent more than five hours Thursday, gathering information about a proposed one-year pilot project that would reduce fees paid by ride-share companies.

Cab drivers couldn’t figure out why the rules have to change, when ride-sharing company TappCar is already operating under the current bylaw.

“Why they want to change the by-law today? I tell you why — because Uber wants to change it and only Uber,” driver William Elzein told CityNews.

Checkers President Kurt Enders said it seemed like special treatment.

“They didn’t consider making the same changes, or offering the same changes that they are offering to TNCs (Transportation Network Companies), as they are for the taxi and limousine industry, by streamlining the automation, electronic forms and driver hiring process,” he said.

Uber pulled out of Calgary in February saying the current by-law breaks their business model, taking issue with $1,700 in administration fees and a $220 cost per driver.

Under the proposed plan, admin fees would be based on the number of people behind the wheel, with $0.20 charged per trip and $15 per driver.

Spokesperson Michael van Hemmen says Uber would be happy to return to the market, with these changes.

“The current by-law is cost-prohibitive and creates barriers for drivers to participate, to simply share their vehicle. So, we’re trying to find ways — and we’ve provided indications to city staff, city staff have seen that same information in by-laws across the country — on ways to reduce those barriers,” he said.

The committee did not make any decisions and will meet again November 18.

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