Uber to Resume in Calgary December 6 2016

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Delgar

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.

I have noticed a huge improvement in taxi service. Even after Uber got bounced in Deceember. Taxis must have really gotten rattled because I have been having no problem getting rides around the deep SW, late on Saturday night. Or maybe business is just down because of the economy.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I have noticed a huge improvement in taxi service. Even after Uber got bounced in Deceember. Taxis must have really gotten rattled because I have been having no problem getting rides around the deep SW, late on Saturday night. Or maybe business is just down because of the economy.

Talking to a few guys in that industry, it's a combination. They said the whole Uber thing really sent shockwaves through the industry, with many not thinking simple things like friendliness and manners were as big of an issue as it is. Which blows my mind.

Regardless, the industry took the hint and put a lot more effort into manners and taking the small fares and long fares to the boonies, now understanding that it's part of the business, and what's convenient for the driver simply can't be the driving force behind fares.

All of that is great, and shows that no matter how stupid Uber is, their short presence here actually helped out our taxi situation in town by kicking our local companies asses a little. However, the other thing they mentioned is the economy has made us a bit of a ghost town. People just aren't going out at even close to the rates they did before the downturn.

[jayswin]

Unfortunately, these changes won't be acknowledged by the locals, imo. As a city, people are set in their opinions on this stuff and cabbies will still get abused racially and just generally treated like second class citizens in an ugly dark side to our citizens, that's way more prevalent than many would probably like to think.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

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.

Ok, I think Uber is full of #### and isn't walking away from the Canadian market over a $200 fee. They will show up 30 days after the insurance issues have been worked out. Or earlier if our city council caves. Uber works to look out for their own best interest trying to extract all and any concessions they can from each city they deal with. Its a bluff.

[Fuzz]

You are being generous. They will show up a day after the province sorts out their part.

[Weitz]

With what drivers?

[Fuzz]

I'd imagine some ex-cabbies and limo fleets will be the first to give it a go, as they will already meet the qualifications.

[GGG]

Any Cab driver currently renting a plate will be ready to go with Uber as the amount they pay for renting the plate makes them make less than with uber.

Also if we have no drivers it will always be 8 times surge. meaning highly lucrative for the first people entering the market. The unemployed with a vehicle lease or car payment that they can't get out off will likely use this as an option to supplement EI.

People who want to be full time cab drivers.

Everytime the city has had Cab plate auctions even the non-resellalbe plates demand has exceeded supply. The supply of drivers in the old system exceeded the supply of plates. Why do you suspect that would change.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by GGG

Ok, I think Uber is full of #### and isn't walking away from the Canadian market over a $200 fee. They will show up 30 days after the insurance issues have been worked out. Or earlier if our city council caves. Uber works to look out for their own best interest trying to extract all and any concessions they can from each city they deal with. Its a bluff.

Well that is one potential scenario. I didn't get that you were suggesting it was all a bluff before.

I think the differences are a bit more meaningful. I also dont think this is over.

An aside, but i saw a good article on the economics today.
http://www.macleans.ca/economy/econo...regulate-uber/

[darklord700]

The $200 licensing fee is a money grab. However, why Uber doesn't let the drivers decide if they are willing to pay the $200 fee and drive for Uber? Instead they pull out Calgary for the time being which is a bit of grandstanding on Uber's part.

[Resolute 14]

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.

So you are claiming Uber, which proposes to put one car on the road for 1-3 passengers, would take more cars off the road than you would driving your own car with 1-3 passengers?

Like, did you even run the logic before bringing this argument forward?

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by darklord700

The $200 licensing fee is a money grab. However, why Uber doesn't let the drivers decide if they are willing to pay the $200 fee and drive for Uber? Instead they pull out Calgary for the time being which is a bit of grandstanding on Uber's part.

Uber needs a critical mass of drivers ready to go in a market before launching. How many people are willing to shell out the cash to be ready for Ubers eventual launch?

If Uber launched with only 100 drivers they'd do irreparable damage to their brand in the city.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

So you are claiming Uber, which proposes to put one car on the road for 1-3 passengers, would take more cars off the road than you would driving your own car with 1-3 passengers?

Like, did you even run the logic before bringing this argument forward?

Walk or take transit to destination, take Uber back at night when it's dark/cold/transit finished. As opposed to individually driving to your destination during peak times.

Uber driver picks up 1-3 passengers, drops them off and picks up 1-3 passengers at next location. Instead of having all those passengers on the road at the same time.

I mean it makes perfect sense, if not a huge noticeable difference.

[Otto-matic]

Dear Calgary supporters,

We are disappointed that City Council passed regulations that will not see Uber return to Calgary at this time. That said, we will continue to evaluate our options and monitor the Calgary market for opportunities to engage in thoughtful dialogue.

We believe it is a privilege to operate in any market, and do everything we can to engage with lawmakers and regulators to help develop progressive regulations that allow for flexible income opportunities for drivers and safe, reliable rides for the public. This was no different with Calgary, where we frequently met and corresponded with the city, expressing our positions on the bylaw and offering suggestions on how it could open the market up to ridesharing.

That is why it is troublesome to see assertions made about Uber in the press and on social media suggesting that we were not aiming to be constructive in the regulatory process, or that we do not endorse background screenings, vehicle inspections, and fees to the City as they already exist in regulations in over 70 jurisdictions.

We want to set the record straight so you know what we have done throughout the process and highlight why smart rules matter and the implications of bad regulations.

Another email.

[HotHotHeat]

So sick of the spin they spew. Have to assume the GM for Uber Alberta will be replaced soon.

[Resolute 14]

That is a surprisingly defensive PR email from Uber. Suggests they are facing far more public pressure than they expected.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Really? When I did it, ugh...almost 20 years ago(so old)...it was about a 45 minute road test, and had a few items the normal one didn't. They must have changed it.

Mine was quite awhile ago too. The form was the exact same as for class 5 and it just showed a pass mark higher for the class 4. I had about a 20 minute road test around my neighbourhood. It might have depended who the test was with.

I did my class 5 license in Saskatchewan so I can't say for sure, but it certainly looked like it was the same test, with a different passing grade.

[Fuzz]

We believe it is a privilege to operate in any market,

Uh huh. If it was a privilege you wouldn't have started operating before legal, and wouldn't be harassing the cities to conform to your demands. I'm not sure you understand the meaning of the word privilege...

[getbak]

Keys Please and Checker are both looking at leveraging their existing apps to take advantage of the new rules: http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-...ket-in-calgary

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by getbak

Keys Please and Checker are both looking at leveraging their existing apps to take advantage of the new rules: http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-...ket-in-calgary

Now we're gonna get the worst of it. Surge pricing with a restricted numbers of cabs.