Uber to Resume in Calgary December 6 2016

[Kjesse]

I dislike counsel's decision on this from a self-interest point of view. I've had such awful taxi experiences in this city, its to the point I dread having to rely on one sometimes to get me to the airport, because I can't be sure they'll show up.

Things have changed with taxis over the last few months in terms of availability but only because of Uber. Without Uber we'd still all be clamouring for more plates to be released.

The decision yesterday was not a full step in the right direction IMHO, but legitimizing ride-sharing certainly will prove to be a huge shift in the years to come. As pointed out, the regulation as enacted keeps the truly casual Uber drivers out of the mix thus lessening the supply. Uber is responding in an immature fashion but I wouldn't be surprised to see them enter the market eventually anyway.

[peter12]

I dislike counsel's decision on this from a self-interest point of view. I've had such awful taxi experiences in this city, its to the point I dread having to rely on one sometimes to get me to the airport, because I can't be sure they'll show up.

Well, yeah, in an ideal world, we would all get what we wanted without consequence or trade-off.

The decision yesterday was not a full step in the right direction IMHO, but legitimizing ride-sharing certainly will prove to be a huge shift in the years to come. As pointed out, the regulation as enacted keeps the truly casual Uber drivers out of the mix thus lessening the supply. Uber is responding in an immature fashion but I wouldn't be surprised to see them enter the market eventually anyway.

The model isn't profitable unless Uber is able to swamp the supply-side with a bunch of drivers who, through their own irrational miscalculation, start driving basically for free.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Rutuu

No man... I know what people with unchangeable opinions look like. You win. 😀

Said the pot to the kettle.

That said, yes, my view that companies like Uber should be held to basic standards of licensing, insurance and inspection is unchangeable. Not that you have made an attempt to change it. Unless one counts "waaaaaah! Not giving them everything they want means Calgary isn't world class!" as an argument.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by peter12

The model isn't profitable unless Uber is able to swamp the supply-side with a bunch of drivers who, through their own irrational miscalculation, start driving basically for free.

I disagree. It's profitable for the driver if they don't drive full time.

The city eliminated that.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by peter12

So, the Kalamazoo shooting pretty much encapsulates the safety concerns that a lot of riders feel when taking an Uber ride

The man had no prior criminal record and passed a background check though. He had over 100 rides with a good 4.73 record. Wife and kids, previous job working at Progressive Insurance. Neighbours called him quiet and kind.

Definitely agree that I want my driver checked thoroughly, but at this time there's not really a reason to suggest that the shooter wouldn't have passed through a more thorough background check.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

The man had no prior criminal record and passed a background check though. He had over 100 rides with a good 4.73 record. Wife and kids, previous job working at Progressive Insurance. Neighbours called him quiet and kind.

Definitely agree that I want my driver checked thoroughly, but at this time there's not really a reason to suggest that the shooter wouldn't have passed through a more thorough background check.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. It encapsulates the public's safety concerns.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Also, I take taxis fairly regularly to and from the airport, and in cities I travel to. Im convinced that many of you haven't been in a taxi. It's not that bad.

I too have never had an issue when taking a taxi to and from the airport. It's the other places I try to go to in the city. From a friend's house in Midnapore to my house in Copperfield; for example.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

The city claiming they've modernized their rules is a bit like the cable companies touting unbundled pricing. I wont hold my breath that consumers are better off, but either way its not netflix so sorta moot in the long run.

Sucks in the short term though. And sorta weird that a council that's so desperately wants to be progressive and gets cars of the road is clinging to a horse and buggy model that keeps people like me driving everywhere. Council thought their job was to stand up to big bad uber, and forgot its to figure out the most efficient model for people to get around.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Rutuu

You're so small town and don't even know it. If Calgary wants to be world class act like it.

It's giving someone a ride. It should be the most elastic service a region with a licensing system has... Take the 10,000ft view of the situation.

- Calgarian Abroad In An Area With Uber For The Last 2yrsThat Loves Innovation and His Hometown Not Barriers To Entry For New Businesses

What specific items do you dislike about the cities bylaw. An specifically the areas which they are different from the Edmonton Bylaw. And how do you believe that will affect uber's entance to the market.

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

Sucks in the short term though. And sorta weird that a council that's so desperately wants to be progressive and gets cars of the road is clinging to a horse and buggy model that keeps people like me driving everywhere. Council thought their job was to stand up to big bad uber, and forgot its to figure out the most efficient model for people to get around.

The most efficient model (other than perhaps living near where you work) is mass transit. Uber doesn't help that, and due to dead miles where the driver needs to travel to the next passenger can make it worse.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

The city claiming they've modernized their rules is a bit like the cable companies touting unbundled pricing. I wont hold my breath that consumers are better off, but either way its not netflix so sorta moot in the long run.

Sucks in the short term though. And sorta weird that a council that's so desperately wants to be progressive and gets cars of the road is clinging to a horse and buggy model that keeps people like me driving everywhere. Council thought their job was to stand up to big bad uber, and forgot its to figure out the most efficient model for people to get around.

I'm really confused here. The difference between the acceptable Edmonton Model and the unacceptable Calgary model is $200 unless I am missing something.

Is this discussion really over a $200 per year fee?

[TheAlpineOracle]

Uber will be in Calgary within a few months. As soon as everything starts up in Edmonton and people start raving about having Uber, there's going to be some serious political pressure on these councillors in Calgary. They are already starting to show dissent. See Evan Woodley below.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...iers-1.3459850

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Uber will be in Calgary within a few months. As soon as everything starts up in Edmonton and people start raving about having Uber, there's going to be some serious political pressure on these councillors in Calgary. They are already starting to show dissent. See Evan Woodley below.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...iers-1.3459850

Edmonton has had Uber operational for months now.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by GGG

I'm really confused here. The difference between the acceptable Edmonton Model and the unacceptable Calgary model is $200 unless I am missing something.

Is this discussion really over a $200 per year fee?

I've read its more than $200. Approaching $400?

Anyway, the issue is you are charging a per driver fee instead of a per trip fee that Edmonton does.

This eliminates any part time drivers because you can't make any money.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I've read its more than $200. Approaching $400?

Anyway, the issue is you are charging a per driver fee instead of a per trip fee that Edmonton does.

This eliminates any part time drivers because you can't make any money.

How many trips per year are you looking at for a part time driver? I'm trying to figure out who this guy is that does just 2 trips every Friday.

What are the other additions between Calgary and Edmonton. Both require class 4, both require yearly inspection?

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by GGG

I'm really confused here. The difference between the acceptable Edmonton Model and the unacceptable Calgary model is $200 unless I am missing something.

Is this discussion really over a $200 per year fee?

Respectfully, answer your own question. Do you really think this is about a $200 a year fee? I highly doubt it. There's a better chance that uber is (temporarily at least) walking away from a big Canadian market over something a bit more complex.

[Wormius]

I am not really sure why this concerns Uber if the fees are paid by the driver. Aside from not being locked into Uber, isn't it still getting its take, whether it is from one driver doing 50 trips of 10 guys doing 5 trips, etc?

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by accord1999

The most efficient model (other than perhaps living near where you work) is mass transit. Uber doesn't help that, and due to dead miles where the driver needs to travel to the next passenger can make it worse.

Fair enough I guess. I was thinking only in the context of cabs v companies like uber.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Edmonton has had Uber operational for months now.

Yup, but most Calgarians figured Uber would be back in the City. Now we have it operating in Edmonton, and not coming back to Calgary. That won't sit well with most.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I am not really sure why this concerns Uber if the fees are paid by the driver. Aside from not being locked into Uber, isn't it still getting its take, whether it is from one driver doing 50 trips of 10 guys doing 5 trips, etc?

Because like many have mentioned, Uber clearly relies on drivers working for next to nothing, and they know even the smallest of regulations and fees above and beyond what normal citizen drivers pay is going to wreck their model.

It relies on Joe Blow hearing about it and going "yeah, I sit on my couch many nights anyway, so I'll sign up and pick up some spending cash. Hell, I'll start this weekend and make an extra $40".

If step one to that extra spending cash is a fee and a new license, then 95% of the Joe Blow's out there sit back down on the couch.