Ride Hailing news Archives

“Uber lobbyists were back with a vengeance in September, with the ride share company logging 53 communications and winning the month. Uber Canada’s Manager for Public Policy Jake Brockman logged emails to every member of Council. Lobbyist-for-hire Kim Wright was also working on Uber’s behalf in September…Mandatory training for Toronto Uber drivers and other vehicle-for-hire drivers was supposed to start in 2020, but was delayed because of COVID-19.”

News Ride Hailing news Taxi industry news Trucking

Toronto looks for 70 new red light cameras, new designated zones at Council October 1st

October 1, 2021 RWN Staff

Toronto Councillor John Filion, hopes to see the city designate new areas as eligible for Red Light Cameras as it moves to implement a 2017 decision to add 70 additional red light cameras.

News Ride Hailing news Taxi industry news

Uber should go back home to America if it can’t obey Canadian law, protesters say

September 30, 2021 Mike Beggs

While the September 28 demonstration was held in the Uber parking lot, steps away from the company office, no Uber Canada representatives were in attendance and the corporation did not issue any statement to the Uber Canada website.

A long-time limo driver who joined Uber as an Uber Black driver, Butt was the led the demonstration to protest low pay and unfair practices.

He points out that 300 Uber Black drivers applied to unionize, in January of 2019, hoping to bring Uber to the table to discuss such issues. But three years later, this application is still bogged down at the Ontario Labour Relations Board, with Butt alleging that Uber is attempting to block this process.

News Ride Hailing news Taxi industry news

“It’s a joke” that driver training has been delayed two years: Eisenberg

September 29, 2021 RWN Staff

Toronto City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam has submitted a Notice of Motion regarding Vehicle for Hire driver training and testing to be discussed when Council returns October 1^st and October 4^th, 2021.

The Motion suggests that Toronto pause issuing licenses to Vehicle for Hire drivers until the driver training and testing program which is now two years overdue is actually implemented. Licensing and Standards staff blame the two year delay on COVID-19; during this period, approximately 40,000 drivers have been licensed in Toronto.

Opinion/Column Ride Hailing news Taxi industry news

By-law written for rideshare companies is not working for rideshare drivers: protest today at Uber head office

September 28, 2021 Rita Smith

Staff at the City of Toronto are currently developing an update report to the General Government and Licensing Committee in November. The report is intended to speak to work completed since the last Vehicle-for-Hire Bylaw Review and outstanding Council directives (including a driver training program that is now two years late).

Ironically, as this report is being written, drivers for the corporation which motivated virtually all of the changes to Toronto’s taxi regulatory in 2016 are now protesting that very entity, Uber.

Delivery/Courier news News Ride Hailing news Taxi industry news Trucking

Vaccine choice shouldn’t lead to unemployment: MPP Roman Baber

September 27, 2021 RWN Staff

On October 5, 2021, Independent Member of Provincial Parliament Roman Baber intends to introduce a “Jobs & Jabs” Bill, for passing by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. If passed, the Jobs & Jabs Bill will prevent employers from firing or penalizing employees because of their vaccination status or for refusing to disclose their vaccination status.

News Ride Hailing news Taxi industry news

Sept 28 UBERSTRIKE protest demands more traditional regulatory framework

September 23, 2021 Rita Smith

Uber and Lyft drivers in Toronto are organizing to support the September 28th international strike for better working conditions. Drivers are being asked to log off of their apps, and passengers are being asked to take a taxi, a shuttle or a bus on “APPS OFF” day around the globe.

Members of the taxi industry note that the regulatory framework Uber drivers are asking for is essentially the system that existed before Toronto re-wrote its by-law in 2016.

News Ride Hailing news Taxi industry news Trucking

Ontario Vaccination Passports not required for take-out, washrooms at OnRoute

September 22, 2021 Rita Smith

Travellers will not be required to provide proof of vaccination to get take out food or use the washrooms at OnRoute plazas. Photo: RWN As of this morning, September 22nd, proof of two vaccinations and photo identification are required in

News Ride Hailing news Taxi industry news

September 28th “apps off” strike by international Uber and Lyft drivers being organized by ADCU

September 22, 2021 RWN Staff

The App Drivers and Couriers Union is asking app drivers around the globe to go on strike on September 28^th as part of it’s “Apps Off!” protest for better pay, better rights and safety.

“I ask riders on this day: take a taxi, take a shuttle, take a bus, but switch your Uber apps OFF…I ask all riders to stand in solidarity with your drivers, so we can really make an impact.”