November 18, 2014

 

Today, the City of Toronto filed a notice of application seeking a court injunction against Uber Canada Inc., and related companies Uber B.V. and Raiser Operations B.V., that provide the services UberTaxi, UberBlack, UberSUV, UberX and UberXL. The injunction requests that all Uber operations in Toronto cease.

 

The taxicab and limousine industries are regulated by the City to ensure protection of residents and visitors, and to ensure the health and safety of passengers and drivers. Uber has been operating in Toronto since 2012 without a proper licence.

 

The City is concerned that Uber's operations pose a serious risk to the public, including those who are signing on as drivers, for the following reasons:

• increased risk to passenger safety – no mechanical vehicle inspections, lack of driver training • inadequate insurance that fails to meet the requirements of the Municipal Code and may not provide essential coverage to drivers, passengers and others in the event of accidents • increased number of vehicles operating as taxicabs resulting in traffic congestion and a possible threat to the taxi industry, including the City's objective of increasing the number of on-demand accessible taxicabs available, mandated by the City of Toronto earlier this year • unregulated fares resulting in price surging/gouging,  and • increased safety risk to the drivers due to lack of training and vehicle security equipment, normally governed by City bylaws.

 

The City of Toronto is asking that the court be expedient in hearing this application.  

 

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1vmBPxF

 

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

 

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Media contact: Tammy Robbinson, Strategic Communications, 416-338-3761, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.