Some Windsor taxi drivers concerned Uber is getting closer

A Windsor taxi cab in seen in Windsor, Ont., July 24, 2015. (Chris Campbell / CTV Windsor)

Some Windsor taxi cab drivers are growing concerned for their profession with word that Uber is expanding into several southwestern Ontario communities.

Uber is not technically available in Windsor, but that hasn't stop rumblings that Uber drivers have provided transportation here.

Uber does operate in Detroit, but similar to laws that effect taxis in LaSalle and Tecumseh, they aren't allowed to pick up passengers in Windsor, just drop them off.

"It’s really going to hurt us and it's not really fair," says Windsor taxi driver Kelly Henderson.

Uber connects riders with drivers through a smartphone app, and says its prices are up to 25 per cent less than a regular taxi cab fare.

Local cab drivers are concerned about an uneven playing field, saying that Uber vehicles aren't licensed and don't follow the same regulations as city licenced cabs.

“How are they allowed to be out here? How are they allowed to take our livelihood? Our business? It's not right," says Henderson.

Windsor-based law firm Sutts, Strosberg LLP is spearheading a class action lawsuit alleging Uber drivers are not licensed as is required by Ontario's highway traffic act.

In response, an Uber Canada spokesperson released a statement Thursday saying “this projectionist suit is without merit. As we saw from a recent court ruling in Ontario, Uber is operating legally and is a business model distinct from traditional taxi services."

Windsor's supervisor of licensing tells CTV News Uber officials inquired about operating in Windsor about three years ago, but says conversations fell flat once municipal by-law regulations were discussed.

“Anybody who wants to conduct taxi services requires a municipal licence to do so,” says Craig Robertson, Windsor’s supervisor of licensing. “We licence the drivers, the company, as well as the vehicle."

Cab drivers in Windsor will wait and see what happens with the class action lawsuit, hoping the outcome won't affect their bottom line.

“We're worried, what's going to happen to our jobs?" says Henderson.

Uber Canada officials were unavailable for an interview with CTV Windsor today, but did say in an email that they will continue to work with officials at all levels of government as part of their ongoing process to expand across Canada.

Windsor by-law officials say Detroit Uber drivers are only allowed to drop off. If an Uber driver was to pick someone up, that would be considered a taxi service and the proper certification would be needed. Fines can range from $5,000 to $50,000.