A new ride-sharing app launched in Montreal Wednesday that offers people lifts in others’ personal vehicles.
Called UberX, it is an offshoot of popular taxi app Uber, where users enter their credit card information and are charged automatically for rides. They also can see the name and photo of their driver and where the car is upon ordering the cab.
UberX offers passengers the same service, but now with the option of paying 30 per cent less than taxis by getting in the personal vehicles of drivers.
There are snags with the concept, however, including concerns about personal safety.
The company says they run their own background checks.
“If you have a criminal record, you won't be able to become a driver,” said Jean-Nicolas Guillemette, general manager of Uber Montreal. “Also in terms of your driver record, unfortunately if you have more than two minor infractions you cannot be a partner with us.”
Some partners say there are a lot of benefits. Frederic Allard signed up to be a driver with UberX because he wants to do his part for the environment, by driving his electric car, and also make a little extra money.
He said he's not worried about his own safety... or about his car for that matter.
“With Uber it's safer because the client already subscribed with his credit card and everything. If they scrape your car it will be charged on his credit card to fix my car,” he explained.
At least one taxi company says UberX isn't following the rules.
“All I know is that if you are using cars as transportation with customers in them, that becomes a taxi, so if they want to call themselves something else, that's fine but in our eyes they're a taxi company,” said Raffi Artinian, deputy manager of Taxi Diamond.
Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre seems to agree.
“I don't have any problem if people share together, but when they said you have to pay for it, and so if there's a commercial activity, well you have some rules and you have some framework to respect,” he said.
Coderre says he will take up the issue with Quebec's Transport Minister Robert Poëti to determine if UberX is ride sharing, or if it is another taxi company subject to all the rules.
Uber Montreal responded to that, issuing this statement:
“What we know without question is that consumers and drivers are clamoring for more transportation options in Montreal, which is a clear illustration that the status quo simply wasn’t serving either riders or drivers.
When we enter a city, we often find that regulations don't account for innovative and modern technologies such as Uber. Rather than trying to force Uber under existing code, we seek to work collaboratively with city officials to modernize existing regulations to create a regulatory framework that embraces more choice and greater opportunity for Montreal.
We look forward to working with policymakers as they develop new standards that put consumer safety in Montreal first.”
