Uber to Resume in Calgary December 6 2016

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Is it a bad thing that the restaurant you go to for lunch requires both a business license and health inspections?

Do you hold a laissez-faire attitude towards everything, or are you just pouting in this one specific instance?

The thing about restaurants is if I don't like one, there are hundreds of others...and they're not all run by the same cartel.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Is it a bad thing that the restaurant you go to for lunch requires both a business license and health inspections?



Do you hold a laissez-faire attitude towards everything, or are you just pouting in this one specific instance?

If the restaurant industry had uniformly terrible service and food, and if when I was really hungry I either couldn't get a table or every restaurant was closed, I'd feel the same way probably.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

The thing about restaurants is if I don't like one, there are hundreds of others...and they're not all run by the same cartel.

And having to obtain a business license and undergo inspections hasn't led to them turning into a cartel has it?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

The thing about restaurants is if I don't like one, there are hundreds of others...and they're not all run by the same cartel.

Evading the question to pull yet another lame whine about "the cartel" is far more of an answer than you probably realize.

The city's proposed bylaw changes would allow Uber, or any other non-"cartel" operator, into the market. If you really want Uber here, then go to them, tell them to quit stomping their feet and make it work.

Because in the end they, and you, are just acting pissy because the city is forcing them into a relatively level playing field.

[Looch City]

After over a decade of the awesome Calgary taxi service, I think we owe it to ourselves to atleast be a little "pissy" about the entire situation.

[TheAlpineOracle]

I could careless if they put rickshaws on the road. Normally i'm a person that favours regulation, but I'm flat out sick and tired of the taxi industry in this City and the way it is propped by council. I want to be able to A) Get a taxi when I want one B) Be able to get through to dispatch and C) Not have to role the dices as to whether the taxi driver will accept my fare or not depending upon which direction i'm going. Any other reasonably sized city in the World points A, B, and C are the standard. If A, B, and C were possible in Calgary, most wouldn't care if Uber was ever allowed in the Calgary marketplace. I don't want it because it's the shiny new toy, I want it because they City has completely failed it's citizens and, as it stands now, this is the only opportunity to rectify the problem. Without it, the City and the Taxi Companies will just continue with the status quo and continue to prop each other up.


Each and every weekend there are people in this City that can't get a cab that are straddling the line with being over the legal limit, that end up driving when they would have just jumped in a cab if one had been available. You can say it stupid decisions all you want (which it is), but that doesn't change the fact that it's happening.

[Fuzz]

I just read through the proposed bylaw again, and it sounds like it will do what you want, and seams reasonable enough that I think we will see someone fill the space, if not Uber. They also recommend to release 307 more plates which is going to reduce waits a lot. Frankly it is something that should have been done 10 years ago.

The fact is, if there is demand and money to be made some one is going to work that end of the market. The bylaw isn't very onerous, and given past council's protection of the Taxi industry, this seams like a big threat to the taxi companies as they are left with far more restrictions. I'd say the city did a really good job on it.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I could careless if they put rickshaws on the road. Normally i'm a person that favours regulation, but I'm flat out sick and tired of the taxi industry in this City and the way it is propped by council. I want to be able to A) Get a taxi when I want one B) Be able to get through to dispatch and C) Not have to role the dices as to whether the taxi driver will accept my fare or not depending upon which direction i'm going. Any other reasonably sized city in the World points A, B, and C are the standard. If A, B, and C were possible in Calgary, most wouldn't care if Uber was ever allowed in the Calgary marketplace. I don't want it because it's the shiny new toy, I want it because they City has completely failed it's citizens and, as it stands now, this is the only opportunity to rectify the problem. Without it, the City and the Taxi Companies will just continue with the status quo and continue to prop each other up.


Each and every weekend there are people in this City that can't get a cab that are straddling the line with being over the legal limit, that end up driving when they would have just jumped in a cab if one had been available. You can say it stupid decisions all you want (which it is), but that doesn't change the fact that it's happening.

New York's bylaw is more onerous than ours. The one in Edmonton appears to differ by 1 inspection a year and Uber states that one is fine and should be the model.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/09/0...commodate-uber

If the difference between them operating is 1 $100-$200 inspection per year then the business model is a failure. I think your fear that Uber won't operate here under the proposed bylaw is unnecessary. They like every good negotiator look out for only their interests.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

They also recommend to release 307 more plates which is going to reduce waits a lot. Frankly it is something that should have been done 10 years ago.

Don't they always recommend more plates and never actually do it. Plus more plates doesn't matter if they just sit idle on a street corner with no driver inside the cab

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I just read through the proposed bylaw again, and it sounds like it will do what you want, and seams reasonable enough that I think we will see someone fill the space, if not Uber. They also recommend to release 307 more plates which is going to reduce waits a lot. Frankly it is something that should have been done 10 years ago.

The fact is, if there is demand and money to be made some one is going to work that end of the market. The bylaw isn't very onerous, and given past council's protection of the Taxi industry, this seams like a big threat to the taxi companies as they are left with far more restrictions. I'd say the city did a really good job on it.

They've recommended more plates in the past and the taxi companies either ignore that or offer way less than what was proposed. Nothing but a publicity gesture. The City needs to be requiring the company to issue the amount of plates its recommends or face sanctions or penalties.

Also, it doesn't matter how many plates there are if the cars aren't out on the road. The City has often argued that it's not the number of plates that's the problem, but rather that there's not enough cars on the road at peak times. Well, an easy solution to that is more fines/sanctions if companies don't have X amount of cars on the road during peak times. I actually began to notice that once Uber was operational in Calgary that there were way more volume of taxis out on the streets between 11 pm and 3 am. Uber forced them to be out there. This changed almost instantly back to the way it was as soon as Uber suspended operations.

[polak]

Is Uber back yet?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

They've recommended more plates in the past and the taxi companies either ignore that or offer way less than what was proposed. Nothing but a publicity gesture. The City needs to be requiring the company to issue the amount of plates its recommends or face sanctions or penalties.

Also, it doesn't matter how many plates there are if the cars aren't out on the road. The City has often argued that it's not the number of plates that's the problem, but rather that there's not enough cars on the road at peak times. Well, an easy solution to that is more fines/sanctions if companies don't have X amount of cars on the road during peak times. I actually began to notice that once Uber was operational in Calgary that there were way more volume of taxis out on the streets between 11 pm and 3 am. Uber forced them to be out there. This changed almost instantly back to the way it was as soon as Uber suspended operations.

Actually, the city took Uber's solution to high demand periods and gave the taxis the same option: surge pricing. You just gotta book through an app.

Though I like your idea too. If only to watch you lose your mind if Uber itself gets fined for not having enough cars on the road.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

The thing about restaurants is if I don't like one, there are hundreds of others...and they're not all run by the same cartel.

Yes but it's too late to switch restaurants if you die of food poisoning at one of them. There's a reason for basic regulations. There should be sufficient regulation on Uber and others to ensure the safety and protection of the passenger.

[TSXCman]

I had to work until 3:30am last week and waved a cab down outside of my building. I proceeded to be regular/polite, told him where I was going and which turn to take (from our current road). The roads are empty and we have all green lights.

He blows past my turn... says "you said ____ neighborhood, we all use a different road". Ok.... I calmly say to just take the long route.

The ride is $9+tip. The same trip takes me:

$3.50 car2go (in morning traffic)
$4.00 Uber
$3.15 bus ticket
25-30 walk on foot
5-10 minute bike ride

We need Uber back, even just as another option to what is available right now. Anything to avoid a cab would be great.

[rayne008]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I just read through the proposed bylaw again, and it sounds like it will do what you want, and seams reasonable enough that I think we will see someone fill the space, if not Uber. They also recommend to release 307 more plates which is going to reduce waits a lot. Frankly it is something that should have been done 10 years ago.

...

I'm not sure I see the value of having a 307 taxis waiting at the airport with their drivers walking in swarms similar to the walking dead.

[Fuzz]

Wait, he blew past your turn and you still tipped him?

[GGG]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

They've recommended more plates in the past and the taxi companies either ignore that or offer way less than what was proposed. Nothing but a publicity gesture. The City needs to be requiring the company to issue the amount of plates its recommends or face sanctions or penalties.

Also, it doesn't matter how many plates there are if the cars aren't out on the road. The City has often argued that it's not the number of plates that's the problem, but rather that there's not enough cars on the road at peak times. Well, an easy solution to that is more fines/sanctions if companies don't have X amount of cars on the road during peak times. I actually began to notice that once Uber was operational in Calgary that there were way more volume of taxis out on the streets between 11 pm and 3 am. Uber forced them to be out there. This changed almost instantly back to the way it was as soon as Uber suspended operations.

Taxi companies don't issue plates, and all plates sold by the city have hundreds of people vying for them including the non-transferable plates. I agree with your second point about distribution.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by rayne008

I'm not sure I see the value of having a 307 taxis waiting at the airport with their drivers walking in swarms similar to the walking dead.

It may be confirmation bias, as I rarely paid attention before, but it seems to me that there are a lot more taxis at LRT stations these days, especially around event days. If my impression is accurate, then I would credit Uber for that, as the taxi companies would then be trying to be more visible/available.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Actually, the city took Uber's solution to high demand periods and gave the taxis the same option: surge pricing. You just gotta book through an app.

Though I like your idea too. If only to watch you lose your mind if Uber itself gets fined for not having enough cars on the road.

I could care less if they fined Uber. All I want is a ####ing ride home and the peace of mind that if i want to stay out I'll be able to get back to my residence. The only city in the world that doesn't grant that ability to their residents that i've been to is Calgary.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by GGG

Taxi companies don't issue plates, and all plates sold by the city have hundreds of people vying for them including the non-transferable plates. I agree with your second point about distribution.

I don't know enough about the system to discuss it, but the city has pointed the finger in the past to the taxi companies on plates saying they recommend X amount be issues but only X amount ended up going on the road.