Uber in Niagara

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As of 3 this afternoon Niagara region has joined 350 cities around the world offering customers the Uber ride sharing service. Uber has faced opposition from the traditional taxi industry, but taxi drivers in Niagara are saying Uber doesn’t scare them.

One of the biggest Uber cheerleaders, is Niagara West MPP Tim Hudak.

“I know there’s some politicians that will oppose Uber and say we got to protect the cab industry, I don’t look at it that way.”

Hudak says Uber gives customers more options.

Chris Vizzari uses Uber for convenience.

“It tells you when they’re going to be here. You can wait inside and when they get here they call you.”

Abdiel Hernandez, a Central Taxi driver, says Uber is no different than “Speedy Cab.”

“I’m a little concerned, because this is speedy, an illegal taxi operation on an app.”

“If you classify Uber as a taxi today, they’re not compliant with our licensing bylaws.”

The Niagara police services board regulates the taxi industry.

“Their vehicles aren’t licensed. They’re not licensed because we have a set number of taxis allowed in Niagara.”

Andy Petrowski from the Niagara police services board says the only obstacle to Uber operating legally on Niagara roads is the quota requirement. Uber says its drivers and vehicles pass the safety checks and are covered by insurance.

Taxi companies complain they pay much more in insurance premiums, but some taxi drivers aren’t worried about Uber stealing customers.

The taxi industry says it’s different in smaller cities like Niagara Falls compared to Hamilton and Toronto. The average fare here is $10:75, more than 20% of their customers are tourists.

Both taxi and Uber drivers say they will both compete on service, because even customers admit taking an Uber cab over a taxi cab in Niagara won’t’ save them a penny.