‘ Very little’ can be done to stop Uber’s arrival

A proposal to lower fares and ease rules around limousines and luxury sedan service in Calgary was roundly rejected at Monday’s meeting by a majority of council citing safety and market fairness concerns.

Instead, Calgary’s municipal leaders directed administration to present next month a set of options laying the groundwork to regulate so- called transportation network companies, or TNCs, like Uber.

“It’s important for us to have a broader conversation,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “The taxi industry has gone through a lot of regulatory change … and it’s important for us to have a clear roadmap of where we’re going.

“Those transportation networks are coming and there’s very little regulatory ( measures) that we can do to stop it,” Nenshi said. But the head of one of the city’s largest taxi brokers blasted councillors for the abrupt change in direction, calling Monday’s decision a “cop- out.”

“This would have been a good step in the right direction and I think council failed,” said Roger Richard, president of Associated Cab and Allied Limousine.

Last week, a city committee narrowly approved bylaw amendments by staff and the Taxi and Limousine Livery Committee to axe a 30- minute pre- booking rule, slash the minimum fare rate from nearly $ 85 to $ 25 and expand the types of vehicles considered a sedan or limo.

The proposed bylaw amendments would have removed the current hourly rate for limos and introduced a distance- based fare.

Calgary brokers and cabbies were divided, arguing the changes would create a more competitive market, or, conversely establish an uncontrolled “shadow taxi” industry.

Several councillors and staff suggested the changes would open the door to peer- to- peer services like UberBlack to enter Calgary’s highend livery market.

Richard supported the amendments during last week’s committee meeting saying they would have helped address demand during peak hours. “We welcome anyone to come and participate in this business, but it has to be under the same rules,” Richard said after Monday’s meeting. Several councillors raised concerns the amendments would allow limo drivers to operate like cabbies without having to follow the same rules, such as having a camera in their vehicle.

“It’s not a real level playing field. I just really have issues with that,” Coun. Ward Sutherland.

Coun. Andre Chabot said council has a duty to ensure a “safe and ethical” livery system that protects both riders and drivers. “We would like to protect those drivers that are delivering the service as well as ensuring that we get an excellent service to Calgarians as a result of it,” Chabot said.