Paul Palmeter

Uber Canada wants to bring its ride-sharing service to Halifax.

a link to a survey currently underway by Halifax Regional Municipality

 that asks residents for their thoughts about&nbsp;taxi service&nbsp;in the area.

"We've used various ways, e-mail, social media, to let them know HRM is seeking their feedback," said Chris Schafer, Uber Canada's&nbsp;public policy manager.&nbsp;The deadline to complete the survey is Oct. 11.

Taxi advocates air grievances as Saskatoon inches toward Uber

Taxi licence holders and drivers say Saskatoon should make Uber and Lyft drivers play by the same rules they must follow.

Comfort Cabs recently merged with the United Group, as both taxi companies in Saskatoon await competition from ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft.

Saskatoon taxis Comfort Cab

Uber, Lyft now welcome at Toronto's Pearson International Airport

Uber and Lyft can now pick up and drop off passengers at Toronto's Pearson International Airport as part of a new pilot project.

An Air Canada flight prepares to land at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Thursday September 30, 2004. Canadian airline profits will lose altitude in 2011 from last year's strong performance due to higher fuel and labour costs, a Conference Board of Canada report said Monday.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Airlines Cda Profits

Looking for a ride to or from the airport? Toronto's Pearson International is now allowing ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft as part of a pilot project.

Uber has sent that link to thousands of HRM residents who have used the Uber App in other places. While it's not available in the Halifax area, Uber operates in other Canadian cities including Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton.

"We feel those people, when they come back to Halifax, would like to have the same opportunity that other Canadians and people around the world currently enjoy," said Schafer. "We are hopeful that will be reflected in the survey."

Uber Canada public policy manager Chris Schafer says when it comes to safety, other Canadian cities have determined the app-driven service works well.

Chris Schafer

A taxi industry review began in HRM in May&nbsp;2017.

Halifax Regional Council will use the review for future decisions about taxi policies.

"We were made aware that Uber had shared the link to the survey, which is a good thing," said Erin DiCarlo, an HRM spokesperson. "We are looking for as much feedback as we can get&nbsp;so having that extra boost is certainly helpful."

Uber users can book rides, track them, get the name of the driver and colour and make of the vehicle, all through the company's app. The process is also cashless as payments can be made electronically.

Judge tosses taxi union's Uber lawsuit

An Ontario Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit by the union representing licensed taxi drivers in Ottawa that claimed the city treated its members unfairly when it paved the way for Uber and similar companies to enter the local market.

Toronto city bylaw enforcement officers appear to be cracking down on Uber, but the company says the city should instead be looking to update its taxi licensing rules. 

Uber

The union representing taxi drivers in Ottawa accused the city of acting in bad faith and misleading the industry when it legalized companies such as Uber.

Uber and Airbnb under review by Nova Scotia government

Nova Scotia's government is undertaking a year-long study to determine whether companies such as Uber and Airbnb need to be regulated.

Minister of Business Mark Furey spoke to reporters Wednesday afternoon about Uber and AirBnB in Nova Scotia, but was reluctant to say if a year-long study into the companies would result in regulating laws.

Mark Furey

Business Minister Mark Furey spoke to reporters Wednesday afternoon about Uber and Airbnb in Nova Scotia, but was tight-lipped about whether the year-long study into the companies would result in regulating laws.

"We are very confident that the survey will show the demand for increased new mobility options for residents,"&nbsp;Schafe said.

The results of the survey and a larger report are expected in the coming months.

In June, in another part of the taxi industry review, HRM's Transportation Standing Committee asked for a report on gender diversity.

There are 1,395 active taxi drivers in HRM, only 39 are female.

Uber Canada wants to include Halifax among the Canadian cities where it operates its ride-sharing services.

Uber hopes taxi survey results will help it crack Halifax market

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