Uber threatens to quit Quebec

[Professur]

Quote

Uber is threatening to leave the Canadian province of Quebec because of "severe" new rules aimed at regulating the company like taxis.

The ride-sharing company threatened on Tuesday to leave by mid-October if the government implements new regulations.

The new rules would require Uber drivers to get police background checks and 35 hours of training, up from 20.

The regulations come a year after the provincial government agreed to let Uber operate on a trial basis.

"We are going to have to cease our operations in Quebec on October 14," said Jean-Nicolas Guillemette, director general of Uber Quebec.

The company said it could change its mind if the government reconsidered the regulations.

"We're asking the government to renew the pilot project and let's sit down and find a solution to this," he said.

The company has 50 office staff and about 10,000 drivers across Quebec, which includes Canada's second largest city, Montreal.

Is Uber harming the traditional taxi?

The new rules, announced on Friday, require drivers to have the same amount of training as taxi drivers - 35 hours up from 20 - before they can pick up passengers.

They also require drivers to get a police background check, as opposed to going through a private company.

When Uber first starting talking to Quebec's government about operating in the province, in May 2016, the province made it clear Uber would have no advantage over the taxi industry, which is strictly regulated.

Mr Guillemette accused the transport minister Jacques Daoust then of "living in the past".

On Friday, London, announced it would not renew Uber's licence to operate, citing concerns for public safety and security.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has since decided to sit down with the company and received an apologetic letter.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41406850#

[Frosty]

Sounds like a classic case of industrial amnesia to me. Uber clearly wants the special (e.g. favoritism) rules re-instated for them and them alone even though Quebec made it clear that they were not playing favorites. Time for Uber to gird up or get out!

 

[notallthere]

It sounds like......Rules are great as long as they do not apply to me.

[Professur]

That's pretty much the definition of Uber ... the taxi service that tries to skirt the need for a taxi permit.

[Ringo64]

Uber has changed us from "don't meet people from the internet" and "don't get into cars with strangers" to literally summoning strangers from the internet to get into their cars.

[notallthere]

Free candy and puppies in my big white van.

[Ringo64]

2 minutes ago, notallthere said:

Free candy and puppies in my big white van.

If the ride is free, maybe...

[Frosty]

Ohhh....What kind of puppies?

[Professur]

Reading this morning that a Texas Firefighter's retirement fund is the latest bunch to file suit against Uber. Reportedly, they average 1.8 lawsuits per day.  Damn ... you'd think Trump was their CEO or something.