While the Region of Waterloo’s position remains that taxi alternative Uber is illegal unless regulated, one regional councillor says it’s only a matter of time until it shows up.
“I think it’s inevitable that Uber’s going to come to Waterloo Region,” Coun. Sean Strickland told CTV News.
“It’s already in Ottawa. It’s already in Toronto. It’s already in 200 cities worldwide.”
Representatives of Uber met with representatives of the region last week to explain how their service works and what it could look like in Waterloo Region.
The organization also held an event in Kitchener to advertise employment opportunities to interested prospective drivers.
Strickland was not part of the region’s delegation that met with Uber, but says he would like to find out more about its plans for the area – and how the upper-tier municipal government could play a role in those plans.
“I think there is a larger question here about regulation and what role governments play,” he said.
“I’m not advocating that we bring Uber here and it’d be like the Wild West. There has to be some regulation attached to it.”
Uber is an app-based service which matches people looking for rides with drivers asking for them.
To become an Uber driver, one must have a working car and pass a security check.
Regional chair Ken Seiling says he still has concerns about the safety aspect of Uber – as well as the fairness aspect.
“We also have to make sure that we provide a service that’s available to everybody, not just people who have technology,” he said.
“Not everybody carries an iPhone or a BlackBerry.”
