It’s now official. Ottawa City Council voted today in favour of legalizing Uber in the Capital under new vehicle-for-hire regulations coming this fall.
Today’s vote comes after two days of heated discussion at City Hall last week around changes to Ottawa’s taxi bylaw.
Council voted that all taxi and Uber drivers will have to have at least $2 million in liability insurance. Uber drivers and other ride-sharing services will not be required to have cameras in their vehicles – something the taxi industry had been advocating for.
The city will also drop the $1.50 fee for taxi customers to pay using a debit or credit card.
The new licensing system comes into effect on September 30. Uber has been operating in Ottawa illegally since October 2014. The company has said it will continue operations in Ottawa until the new rules kick in in the fall.
More to come.
Taxi driver storms out saying decision to legalize #Uber is ruining their lives #ottnews @ctvottawa pic.twitter.com/aZjDlRXB6X
— Katie Griffin (@KatieGriffinCTV) April 13, 2016
.@Eli_ElChantiry takes issue with Deans' "political intervention" comments #ottnews @ctvottawa
— Katie Griffin (@KatieGriffinCTV) April 13, 2016
Some rumbling from taxi drivers in council chambers...it was when camera motion failed last week that some stormed out #ottnews @ctvottawa
— Katie Griffin (@KatieGriffinCTV) April 13, 2016
.@dianedeans describes Ottawa Police Insp. John Maxwell's comments to committee last week as "political intervention" #ottnews @ctvottawa
— Katie Griffin (@KatieGriffinCTV) April 13, 2016
.@StephenBlais says he doesn't see how companies like #Uber couldn't make in-vehicle cameras work & wants them installed #ottnews @ctvottawa
— Katie Griffin (@KatieGriffinCTV) April 13, 2016
.@Eli_ElChantiry's motion on camera requirement had failed at committee. Chiarelli/Egli speaking to benefits of cams. #ottnews @ctvottawa
— Katie Griffin (@KatieGriffinCTV) April 13, 2016
Back to talking cameras in #Uber vehicles w. motion from @Eli_ElChantiry. Motion to revisit issue in one year has already passed... #ottnews
— Katie Griffin (@KatieGriffinCTV) April 13, 2016
First motion passes...issue of need for cameras in #Uber vehicles to be revisited in one year #ottnews @ctvottawa
— Katie Griffin (@KatieGriffinCTV) April 13, 2016
Councillor @JODYMITIC wants to see data on cameras in taxis...he wonders whether they're necessary in any taxi/#uber #ottnews @ctvottawa
— Katie Griffin (@KatieGriffinCTV) April 13, 2016
Council dealing w. a # of motions incl. revisiting issue of cameras in #Uber vehicles in 1 yr & reducing insurance from $5M-$2M @ctvottawa
— Katie Griffin (@KatieGriffinCTV) April 13, 2016
Many taxi drivers & #Uber supporters here ahead of vote, police officers out in the hall #ottnews @ctvottawa pic.twitter.com/sJGUVgK0FG
— Katie Griffin (@KatieGriffinCTV) April 13, 2016
