Uber can operate in Calgary says city council, but only if they play by the rules

Dec 19 2017, 10:46 am

Uber can operate in Calgary, says Calgary City Council, as long as they’re willing to adhere to a few key guidelines.

A meeting on Monday, November 16 saw the council agree to allow Uber to operate legally in Calgary, provided the company works to ensure all their drivers acquire the proper insurance first.

“I was shocked that Uber today simultaneously sent a note to their supporters saying ‘Tell them to pass it today!’ while sending us a note saying ‘Please delay it for four or five months because we’re not ready yet,'” Neshi told reporters.

In the meantime, a meeting to vote on a bylaw concerning Uber’s operation has been pushed back to February 22, 2016. Calgary Mayor Naheed Neshi spoke to reporters, seemingly unhappy with the way Uber has been conducting themselves during this process.

The lack of regulated insurance for Uber drivers has been a particular concern for the city, despite the company launching operations in Calgary in October.

“Uber has known they’ve got an insurance problem for many, many, many months,” said Neshi. “They’re working on it, there is a product that is awaiting approval before the regulator now; they chose to launch anyway. That’s like a home builder building a bunch of houses then asking you to retroactively change the fire code to say that they’re safe. That’s not how it works.”

Uber reps are itching to get drivers on the road, and are hoping they can come to an agreement with council sooner rather than later.

“It’s a real great opportunity Calgarians and for ride-sharing in general to exist in Calgary,” Ramit Kar, General Manager of Uber Alberta told reporters on Monday. “However I must say I’m still disappointed in the city’s ongoing proceedings against our hardworking drivers, but I really do believe that we’re tying to get to a regulatory path as opposed to one that’s going through the law courts.”

DH Calgary StaffDH Calgary Staff

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