Uber petition draws support ahead of Toronto council vote
Proposed regulations for ride-hailing service up for debate Sept. 30
More than 20,000 people have signed Uber's online petition urging city council to legalize the ride-hailing service in Toronto.
The California-based company launched a website and petition Monday calling on council to adopt city staff recommendations for UberX, the popular ride-booking service that allows anyone to earn money by providing rides to willing customers.
The petition had 24,679 signatures as of 5:30 p.m.
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In a report released last week, city staff proposed UberX and similar services be included in updated taxi and limousine regulations, the creation of a new licensing category for ride-hailing services and for taxi fares be dropped by $1 to $3.25 to make traditional cabs more competitive.
But many taxi drivers, backed by councillors Jim Karygiannis and Giorgio Mammoliti, are pushing to have the service banned from the city, altogether.
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Uber's petition says detractors "are attempting to end ride-sharing in Toronto by pushing city council to reject the creation of a regulatory framework that gives residents more options, creates jobs and supports innovation."
Toronto Taxi Alliance spokesman Sam Moini told CBC News last week that creating a licensing category for UberX will mean the "death of the industry."
"The taxi industry and Uber provide the same service," he said. "We provide a service of transportation from point A to point B with a vehicle. Why should there be two sets of rules for the same service? There should be one set of rules for all."
Council will vote on the issue Sept. 30.