Uber in Waterloo Region

[Drake]

Forgive me if this comes across as arrogant but people are generally pretty ignorant about government regulations as a whole (myself included). Yes, red tape is annoying but there are benefits to it. I can live in relative safety and not put much thought into my daily routine because of the numerous safety laws that are all but invisible to me on a daily basis. These range from traffic regulations, bylaws, construction codes, pharmaceutical laws, food laws, water regulations etc etc..

While the taxi licencing system certainly sounds expensive and perhaps is an onerous system, I can't see how it doesn't fit into an ongoing economic model + have safety standards built into it.

I have glossed over the UBER website and it basically says if I am over 21, have a licence, have a 4 door car and have my own personal insurance I am good to go.

Just off the hop, I can say when I renew my auto insurance I am asked if I use the car for business purposes eg do I make money with this car? If the answer is no, and I am an uber driver and get into a wreck, I am thinking I will be snookered there. If my passengers are hurt, I am thinking I will be responsible, etc etc... If I say yes, well then I am a taxi and I need a licence and I will pay more for auto insurance.

I am not seeing the upside of this other than the neat-o app.

I would rather see a better carshare/bike share and the LRT get running than get into it with this dodgy group. They have created an app, skim a percentage off of every ride and that's it.

I disagree with Strickland. Uber is not the future. They can be a driving force behind taxi reform, but other than that, I think they are opportunists that will bring nothing to our communities.

My 2c.