City Council has created a legal category for UberX and given some of the most unpleasant aspects of that business — like arbitrary pricing — to the taxi industry as well. At the end of a rancorous day-long “debate” in which Mayor Tory fandangled more than 100 changes to staff plans, there seems to be mainly anger and confusion. Uber spokespersons said they were pleased to be legal but were not clear what all the new rules really mean. Uber drivers will have to submit their records and photos to the City, not just their employer. But they don’t, apparently, need to take driving lessons and things like the English language are lost somewhere. Cabs can now charge so-called surge fares, so don’t get caught in a crowd outside a theatre. It will cost you. Things like cameras in hired cars has gone without much discussion. No one seems to know where it stands. It is a profound safety element. City Council adopted the massive set of regulations contained in 20 pages and introduced by Tory late Tuesday night. Now it seems that the actual impact of what has been done will be learned by the public in the form of little surprises day by day. Toronto Star report of Wednesday, May 4, 2016 includes concern for future of taxi industry and passenger safety.
