Via probes Ottawa station row in latest taxi video
Ottawa cab drivers have expanded their video campaign against Uber yet again, taking the battle to a new front — the Ottawa Train Station — and now confronting Uber passengers as well as the Internet taxi service’s contractors.
Via Rail, which operates the Tremblay Road station, said it is investigating an altercation shown in a video posted to social media Friday. In it, a man who says he is “protecting my business” threatens to call police on two women about to enter a red Dodge Caliber unless they take his cab instead.
“I’m calling the police right now,” says the man, who filmed the exchange. “Uber is illegal in Ottawa. You have to come — you will be in trouble, I promise you.”
“I don’t know,” responds one woman before the pair agree to take his cab. When the Caliber driver protests and begins taking photos of a taxi — apparently the camera operator’s — at the station cab stand, he’s told, “The lady doesn’t want to go with you anymore so stop arguing.”
It is not illegal to take an Uber ride, although nearly 40 Uber drivers have been charged by city bylaw officers with operating an unlicensed taxi.
Taxi drivers, frustrated with what they say is tepid enforcement of city bylaws prohibiting unlicensed cabs and drivers, have become increasingly aggressive in anti-Uber videos that began appearing in August. Some commenters Friday criticized the actions in the latest video as “blackmail” and “harassing.”
Via said it launched an investigation after receiving a report of the confrontation. It urged anyone who “believes there is an activity taking place in contravention of any law or in violation of a bylaw” to alert the rail company, Ottawa bylaw enforcement at 311 or police.
“The safety of our clients is paramount and, in that regard, we expect everyone on Via Rail’s premises to act in a respectful and courteous manner and in accordance with laws and regulations,” the company said.
City officials, including Mayor Jim Watson and police Chief Charles Bordeleau, have told the drivers to back away from aggressive tactics. The city has accelerated a review of taxi and limousine regulations that is expected to result in new rules to deal with the emergence of new technologies and transportation-for-a-fee service models.
Adding to the tension is a protracted labour dispute at Coventry Connections, Ottawa’s multi-line taxi operator that agreed to increased fees to collect passengers at the Ottawa airport and locked out drivers who refused to pay the higher fees. Drivers who have crossed picket lines have been the target of angry protests at the Coventry office and the airport, and cars have been vandalized.
Ottawa police would not say whether they were contacted about the train station confrontation.
“Ottawa Police will investigate all complaints and we will not confirm or deny any investigation about a specific matter so as not to a identify a complainant/victim,” the force said in a statement.