Uber Canada is in the process of exploring all legal avenues following Toronto City’s recent decision to restrict the number of rideshare drivers to the present level. This provision is part of an extensive motion which requires all rideshare services and taxicabs to become fully environmentally friendly, with zero emissions by the year 2031.
As per this motion penned by the city council, to effectively manage the current surge in greenhouse gas emissions stirred by the vehicle-for-hire industry, the quota of licensees will be capped at the count of October 2023.
The council has requested staff to present a comprehensive report on the framework—including analysis of emissions, congestion, and transit impacts – by the latest in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Uber released a statement on Wednesday evening in which it expressed its concern that the motion could potentially harm the diverse population of Toronto that relies on rideshare as a part of their transportation and also those who utilize driving rideshare as a source of supplementary income. This concern is more pronounced in times like these when living costs are escalating.
According to Uber’s spokesperson, Keerthana Rang, this decision will inflate wait times and the price of dependable, secure transportation for numerous users just when several key transit projects are being delayed and vehicle prices have witnessed an almost 50% rise over the last four years.
Uber debated that there was a lack of procedural fairness during the council’s deliberation and is currently mulling over its legal options. However, in its statement, Uber reiterated its support for the city’s transition plan to a zero-emissions platform by 2030.
Meanwhile, a group that consists of taxi and other ride-hailing drivers, RiderFairTO, welcomed the motion stating that it would spur the reduction of emissions and safeguard the endeavors to revive TTC ridership and minimize the time that taxis and ride-hailing drivers “spend driving empty.”
