Debate on ridesharing car markings sent back to council

Edmonton is going in circles trying to enforce its vehicle-for-hire rules, says Coun. Michael Walters.

It has a problem with people flagging down cars that are not legally cabs in Edmonton, including regional taxis, TappCars and Uber.

Instead of banning them from having any identification on the outside of their cars, the city is requiring them all to have front and back decals, which will only make it easier to accept street hails, Walters said Monday at the community services committee.

“We might be chasing our tail a little bit insisting on decals, which leads to street hails, so that we can identify who is street-hailing through the decal,” said Walters. Taxis with clear markings and physical meters were supposed to be the only ones allowed to pick up fares at taxi stands and accept streetside flags. Everyone else was limited to prearranged rides.

But taxi drivers say regional taxis are stealing business at local hotels and hot spots. TappCar also operates like a traditional taxi, but without holding a taxi plate. In the confusion, Internet-based advertising is also growing, with drivers who have no insurance or oversight offering rides to the public.

Some drivers were so frustrated Monday, they suggested Edmonton should just deregulate, eliminating any advantage their expensive taxi plates used to give them.

“We don’t need this anymore,” driver Amin Dahrouge told councillors. “Get out of it and let us just go against each other.”

Instead, committee sent the bylaw changes to council for further debate, after drivers said at least it would force TappCar and regional taxi companies to shrink their logos.

In October and November, the city fined 30 drivers for accepting illegal street hails, often using undercover officers who would approach drivers at the side of the road.

“We are getting a high number of refusals,” said John Simmons, the city’s head of enforcement, suggesting drivers are starting to understand the rules.

Uber’s Michael van Hemmen told councillors there is a much easier approach. Ban all ridesharing and other non-taxis from having any external markings. Passengers can still identify a vehicle because their app gives the make, model, licence plate number and driver’s photo. But no one else would know to ask for a lift.

Uber doesn’t want its drivers accepting street hails, either, because it doesn’t get a cut of that ride. The driver is also not covered by insurance if he or she operates outside

“We might be chasing our tail a little bit insisting on decals, which leads to street hails, so that we can identify who is street-hailing through the decal.

the app, and the decals open the door for non-registered drivers to pose as an Uber.

Van Hemmen also argued against another part of the bylaw — a decision to increase per-trip city fees to 30 cents from the current six cents.

Edmonton wants the increase because administration and enforcement cost $1.5 million last year. Van Hemmen said a smarter approach to enforcement would fix that issue.

The per trip fee will come from Edmonton passengers, he said: “It’s Edmontonians’ money and they deserve for it to be accounted for.”