Taxi drivers petition city for ‘level playing field’ with ride sharing companies

Around 300 Calgary cab drivers have signed a letter to the city, asking for ride sharing companies to be subject to the same rules and regulations as taxis.

The petition says more and more cab drivers are being forced to give up on mortgage payments and file for bankruptcy as they struggle to make ends meet.

Taxi driver Syed Hussain said one example is vehicle inspections: taxis must go in every six months, but for Uber drivers, it’s once every year.

“When we renew our taxi badge, we pay $175, the Uber guys they pay $15,” he said.

Hussain said added costs mean taxi drivers often work 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We have over 2,000 drivers and they are suffering unbelievably,” he said.

“There are double standards. Two laws: one for the tax industry and one for the sharing companies like Uber or Lyft or whatever, and that is not fair.”

Meanwhile Clement Gulston, who drives for both ride-sharing companies Uber and Cowboy Taxi, argues he pays just as much as a taxi driver, maybe even more, as 25 per cent of fares go to the company to cover costs.

“Their (taxi) system is outdated. Checker has apps, do you know that? Associated has (an) app, do you know that? Calgary City Cab has app? Have you ever tried to use their app, have you ever talked to anybody who tried to use their app? If you use any one of these apps, you’re not connected instantly with the driver,” he said.

Gulston says he works for two companies driving four cars, not because he needs the money, but because he’s taking advantage of good opportunities.