Taxi industry news

Uber Canada has expressed its desire to see Toronto’s new vehicle for hire driver training be delivered completely online.

In correspondence obtained November 19^th through Freedom of Information (FOI), Taxi News has learned that Uber’s stated desire for the training program for Toronto drivers is limited to “virtual training” with no in-car or in-class component.   

Uber’s preference is in sharp contrast with the position maintained by Taxi industry members who believe in-car training is essential.

Congratulations to Uber on being named the third best Taxi company in Toronto, by vote of Toronto Star readers in the November 18 Readers’ Choice Awards.

“Customer service doesn’t matter, if you’re dead,” Kristine Hubbard points out bluntly. Hubbard, Operations Manager at Beck Taxi, is commenting on the Request for Proposals released November 9th by Toronto’s Licensing and Standards department as it moves forward with hiring

During the online meeting of Toronto Council held November 10th, Councillor Gord Perks made a stunning admission which appeared to confirm the worst fears of Toronto’s entire Taxi industry.

Perks detailed some of the motivations and actions which occurred when Toronto Council voted to permit ride hailing companies to operate with a set of rules which were different and more lenient than those mandated for Taxis.

Toronto Council voted to direct staff to stop issuing licenses to vehicle for hire drivers until a training program is in place.

The motion, put forward and subsequently amended by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam passed by a vote of 22-3 with only Councillors Colle, Holyday and Minnan-Wong voting against it.

Training for drivers of vehicles for hire was scheduled to be debated at the November 9, 2021 Toronto City Council meeting, however, it was moved over to be considered as the first private item on Wednesday, November 10th. (The item may need to be considered by Council in camera if a City lawyer is asked to provide advice about an ongoing lawsuit against the City.)

 “We have tons of steel being operated on busy streets, approaching curbside, responding to communication devices, attending to strangers in the backseat, assisting with mobility devices, navigating traffic and congestion.

“That is the nightmare we’re living in this city right now. But drivers are making money doing those things, and they should be trained.”