5 rideshare companies coming to Calgary, with or without Uber

Uber and Lyft may not be coming to Calgary just yet, but at least five other rideshare companies are interested in filling that gap, the City has confirmed.

Allied Limousine, Cowboy Taxi, and TappCar have all been approved for a new Transportation Network Company (TNC) licence to operate in Calgary.

Meanwhile, two more Albertan companies, which were not identified, have submitted applications which are pending approval.

Earlier this year, the City of Calgary drew heavy criticism from Uber, who pulled out of the area when council passed revisions to its vehicle-for-hire bylaw.

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The revisions meant “private for hire” drivers like those working for rideshare companies would have to pay a $220 annual fee and get stringent checks and specific insurance.

In April, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi was forced to defend himself after a video in which he called Uber “the worst people in the world” and its CEO a “dick” was leaked online.

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Although he apologized for the language, Nenshi stood by his criticism of Uber’s screening process for drivers, suggesting the City had put several people, some with criminal records, through the process and they had come out approved.