Uber Canada will be “reviewing all legal options,” following a motion approved by the City of Toronto to put a cap on the amount of rideshare drivers allowed to operate in the city.
The amendment fell under a motion that requires all taxicabs and rideshares to operate zero-emissions vehicles by 2031.
The number of licenced drivers may not surpass the amount currently in operation as of October 2023 “in order to manage current levels of greenhouse gas emissions in vehicle-for-hire industry,” reads the motion.
Uber said it will oppose the measure, saying it would increase wait time and make transportation less affordable.
“This will increase wait times and the cost of a safe and reliable transportation option for so many while important transit projects are delayed and the cost of purchasing a vehicle has increased almost 50 per cent in four years,” said Uber spokesperson Keerthana Rang.
Staff have until the fourth quarter of 2024 to provide a report on the “comprehensive framework, including emissions, congestion and transit impacts,” according to CTV News.
On Wednesday, Uber Canada released a statement, arguing that this motion will “ultimately hurt the diverse group of Torontonians who rely on rideshare as part of their transportation mix and those who drive rideshare for additional income, especially in a time of rising costs.”
The rideshare company claims there was “no procedural fairness on the council floor,” and said they will be looking into all possible legal options.
Uber also said they are not in support of Toronto’s transition to a zero-emissions platform by 2030.
RideFairTO, a coalition of taxi and various other ride-hailing driving services said that they are in favour of the city’s motion because they feel it will restore ridership on the TTC and reduce emissions as well as reduce the amount of time that they “spend driving empty.”
