City blitz aims to punish Uber users

In this file photo taken, Dec. 16, 2014, a woman leaves the headquarters of Uber in San Francisco, Calif. (Eric Risberg / AP Photo)

A recent blitz against Uber by the City of London resulted in 29 fines over two days.

Called Project Licensed Ride, the city says it was targeting vehicles-for-hire.

In total, 18 drivers were hit with 29 fines.

Several of those charged reside outside the city. Many of the vehicles used for conveyance purposes would not qualify as vehicles-for-hire due to their age.

“Certainly, today’s e-hail  technology is  innovative,” says Orest Katolyk, the city’s chief municipal law enforcement officer.

“But at the same time, you have to make sure there’s proper insurance and that the vehicle and driver have been properly screened.”

The city's licenced taxi companies say Uber, a ride-sharing app, is skirting the laws by using unlicenced vehicles and drivers that do not meet the industry requirements that they have to abide by.

Uber calls itself a tech company, in which passengers effectively "e-hail" a cab.

“As we saw from the recent Ontario court ruling, Uber is a legitimate model operating legally and is a unique business that is distinct from taxi,” says Uber Canada spokesperson Susie Heath.

“Rather than taking enforcement action, we believe the right path forward is to develop common sense regulations and look forward to continuing our work with city officials to establish a permanent regulatory framework for ridesharing in London.”

The city says that London's licenced taxi companies already have online apps and "e-hailing" capabilities and that more taxi startups would be welcome, as long as the drivers and vehicles are licenced.

“In terms of background checks and vehicle inspection, all uberX drivers must pass background checks that include Federal, provincial and local records,” says Heath. “Additionally, we screen motor vehicle records for any infractions by type and date.  On vehicle inspection, all vehicles must be inspected by certified mechanics.”

Regarding insurance, Heath says every ride on the uberX platform in Canada is backed by $5 million of contingent auto liability insurance covering bodily injury and property damage.

The city says for public safety and consumer protection, Londoners should use licenced cabs and limousines that meet the following requirements:

Drivers 

Vehicles