Uber has successfully acquired the permission to render their services to the citizens of Edmonton City. This city is the first one in Canada to experience the services of the cab company.
The whole city will now be able to experience the Uber madness starting March 1. Before this, Uber cab drivers will have to get legal commercial insurance signed by the council first before it starts its operation. The process is currently underway.
Based on the report of Yahoo News, the city councils have finally agreed to the Uber's proposal after a long debate. The council and Uber have already settled the minimum fare of the service. Both parties set the minimum fare to $3.25 for every trip and other private transportation providers (PTPs) that would love to operate on Edmonton City.
In the midst of exception of the $3.25 minimum fare, the bylaw deregulates fares for private transportation contributors including Uber and other taxi rides organization that is arranged by using an application.
However, the Uber cabs are not allowed to wait for a passenger at any taxi stops. Uber cabs must only hit the road if they are hired by a customer through the app. Violators will be penalized if such action is committed.
Regular taxi drivers are the one who's only allowed to stand by on the road and to wait for a customer.
The company will pay the City government a fee that is approximately $70,000 every year. According to Councilor Michael Oshry, the council wants to limit the pitch pricing to four times the regulated rate to evade grooving especially during snowstorm season.
The Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson stated that they will "monitor this very closely and in six months' time, if there's predatory behaviour or gouging occurring, then council certainly reserves the right to strengthen the minimums and maximums," Huffington post reported.
As reported by CB News, Uber Alberta General Manager Ramit Kar said that "This is a great day for Edmonton. This is a win for both riders and drivers in Edmonton. Although we have made some concessions in the bylaw, this is a workable framework."
At the end of the debate, there are still some citizens who are frustrated about the news, especially the regular taxi drivers who felt that they were "left out" with this argument. However, majority of the Edmonton citizens are happy about the decision.
