Uber is forcing city’s hand on taxi reform

Re It has flaws, but Uber is a blessing, Opinion

July 4 The taxi industry in Toronto has been in need of serious reform for decades. Consecutive councils have failed to take action, leaving customers and drivers on the losing end. Plate owners and middlemen make all the money.

The arrival of Uber, especially the UberX offering, has forced the city’s hand. The recent court ruling just makes this even clearer.

The big question then becomes, can a so-called level playing field be achieved by new regulations? Does regulation fit the UberX business model, with the increased costs and requirements of drivers? Will the insurance industry create a new partial commercial product that fits, or will drivers still be asked to lie about their private insurance and risk being cancelled if they have an accident while driving for UberX? Is there a middle ground that will satisfy existing plate owners or will the city be forced to pay compensation for their loss?

Instead of making simplistic statements of coming together, these are the real questions the mayor and council have to deal with. Lars Nordgren, Scarborough

Earth to Dave. The only people who hate Uber are taxi companies, Uber competitors, and the odd bureaucrat. Wake up. Greg Hills, Toronto