Hundreds of taxi drivers protest Uber in downtown Edmonton

A file photo of taxis in Edmonton.

Hundreds of taxis flooded downtown Edmonton Tuesday, but none of them were for hire. Rows of cabs were in Edmonton’s core to protest Uber’s presence in the city.

Taxis lined up and drove from the south side to City Hall to protest so-called bandit taxis, in a reference to Uber drivers.

The taxi drivers were calling on the City of Edmonton to crack down on Uber, and said the service is a threat to public safety and their own livelihoods.

“I have personally lost about 40 percent of my income as well as the value of my operating unit, however, if the City comes back to protect the bylaw it will improve things 100 percent,” Husni Al-Khateeb, a Co-op Taxi Driver said.

Mayor Don Iveson said enforcement officers have run into their share of issues when they try to deal with Uber.

“We’ve had difficulty in enforcing Uber, because every time we have an account for our enforcement officer, it gets shut down,” Iveson said.

Iveson went on to say officials are exploring new enforcement methods.

Later this year, the City is planning to apply for a permanent injunction against Uber.