There is a possible breakthrough to the locked-out Airport Taxi protest.
Airport drivers and taxi dispatching company, Coventry Connections, have agreed to meet.
The decision comes after Ottawa’s cab drivers met with Mayor Jim Watson on Wednesday to address their concerns.
“I am very pleased to report that both Coventry Connections and the Union have agreed to get back to the table, “said Mayor Watson.
Airport drivers have been protesting for two weeks now after Coventry Connections raised the pickup fees at Ottawa’s airport from about $1.50 to $5.00.
“The airport authority and Coventry Connections got together and cooked up about a two million dollar deal where they both benefit,” said Bob Orr from Unifor’s Transportation Department.
The increase in airport fees comes at a hostile time for taxi drivers who are feeling the pressures from Uber.
On Wednesday, the city announced it had appointed independent accounting firm KPMG for its taxi bylaw review.
“Obviously the world of the taxi industry is changing dramatically, almost weekly and we want to find ways to modernize that taxi bylaw,” said Mayor Watson.
Information on the new review comes on the same day as a new poll that shows 84% of Ottawa residents would support a new bylaw that would allow Uber to operate legally within the city.
The survey was done by Nanos Research and commissioned by Uber Canada.
“More than 8 out of every 10 residents in the city of Ottawa would 'support' or 'somewhat support' updating the bylaws in order to allow and encourage Uber in Ottawa so it looks like a lot people are open to the Uber service and don't have a problem with it coming to Ottawa,” said Nik Nanos from Nanos Research.
The City’s Taxicab and Limousine Regulation and Service Review is expected to be out in December.
