Uber Petition

[Ducay]

Took Uber exclusively in Toronto in Detroit (total of 10 trips). About 100x better than taking a cab and similar fares. Easy to order a black car to pick you up from the game and have it waiting for you and not have to pay an arm and a leg.

Works really well in Toronto as yellow Taxis are on there, so you get the easy payment convenience, added safety, tracking and ratings of Uber, with the regulated nature and availability of taxis.

Calgary is behind the times in a bad way.

[#-3]

The Canadian Competition Bureau has come out in favour of Uber,

Seems like they are trying to politely say to cities, that they should think about why they are really opposing this, and that current policies in Canada are anti-consumer.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa...ices-1.2849395

[ExiledFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by #-3

The Canadian Competition Bureau has come out in favour of Uber,

Seems like they are trying to politely say to cities, that they should think about why they are really opposing this, and that current policies in Canada are anti-consumer.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa...ices-1.2849395

Excellent. Enough of this anti consumer taxi cartel garbage.

[c.t.ner]

While I'm all for disrupting the Taxi industry and was also one of the first people to jump on the Uber petition bandwaggon back in August, the more I read about Uber as a company, the less impressed I am with the company and the d####bags running the outfit.

The taxi industry in the city totally needs to be torn down, there is no question about that. But Uber as a specific company isn't the way to go. I kinda hope that a company like Lyft or maybe another Canadian startup moves to the city.

[ExiledFlamesFan]

Agreed. The more competition the better.

I dream of the day I book a cab to take me to the airport and it actually shows up.

[Calgary14]

I can't wait for the taxi cartel to have to deal with some actual competition. They've had it way too good for way too long

[#-3]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

While I'm all for disrupting the Taxi industry and was also one of the first people to jump on the Uber petition bandwaggon back in August, the more I read about Uber as a company, the less impressed I am with the company and the d####bags running the outfit.

The taxi industry in the city totally needs to be torn down, there is no question about that. But Uber as a specific company isn't the way to go. I kinda hope that a company like Lyft or maybe another Canadian startup moves to the city.

I do agree with the point that whatever companies are given access to the market should have to regulate the insurance requirements for anyone who registers as a driver. This is a big issue coming for insurance companies, they have to find a model for people who are driving personal vehicles but are taking on strangers for personal profit.

I also have not heard how Uber address' the tax issue? Do they actually issue T4's, at a glance it does not seem like they are that organized.

All of that being said I a a huge opponent of the barriers to entry in this market. Its an industry that in notorious world wide for a lack of quality.

It could go too far in the other direction. Where we get something like the real estate market. With 4 times as many people in the industry and we really need, charging 4 times as much as they really need to, because they all spend 80% of their time looking for work. But we are a long way from the problem in most cities.

I also think the idea of your cell phone creating a trail between you and the drive, is a huge boost for safety for both passengers & drivers. Everyone goes into the situation knowing that it would be easy for Bell, Telus, Rogers, the Police, Uber.... to figure out Person A got into Person B's car. Not that I have heard of that being an issue in Calgary.

[Azure]

Considering that Uber seems to be run by d-bags, hopefully competition breeds a different alternative.

[corporatejay]

How about a free market. Dbags will get weeded out for being dbags.

[c.t.ner]

I also have not heard how Uber address' the tax issue? Do they actually issue T4's, at a glance it does not seem like they are that organized.

From how I understand, In Uber's business model, taxi drivers are essentially independent freelance consultants. They're not full-time employees and are responsibility for all car maintenance, upkeep, insurance (although seems other taxi drivers have to pay this), etc., etc.,

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/tale-of-the-taxi-tape-uber-vs-traditional-cabs

Uber basically decides the fare for drivers and what portion they receive. Hence why the LA Drivers started revolting after they dramatically cut their portion of fares over the summer.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

From how I understand, In Uber's business model, taxi drivers are essentially independent freelance consultants. They're not full-time employees and are responsibility for all car maintenance, upkeep, insurance (although seems other taxi drivers have to pay this), etc., etc.,

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/tale-of-the-taxi-tape-uber-vs-traditional-cabs

Uber basically decides the fare for drivers and what portion they receive. Hence why the LA Drivers started revolting after they dramatically cut their portion of fares over the summer.

Ya that's kinda what I thought.

A system like Uber is needed, but they need to vet anyone who registers as a driver for proper registration and insurance, and the need to take measure to insure people are paying tax on these fairs. If those things don't happen I can understand why governments would have a problem with them.

There are lawsuits in Ubers future if they don't get these things right soon.

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Took Uber exclusively in Toronto in Detroit (total of 10 trips). About 100x better than taking a cab and similar fares. Easy to order a black car to pick you up from the game and have it waiting for you and not have to pay an arm and a leg.

Works really well in Toronto as yellow Taxis are on there, so you get the easy payment convenience, added safety, tracking and ratings of Uber, with the regulated nature and availability of taxis.

Calgary is behind the times in a bad way.

While i agree Uber is probably a good thing, its just as illegal in Toronto as it is in Calgary:

http://globalnews.ca/news/1678342/ci...ce-in-toronto/