[URBAN NOTE] "Mississauga bans UberX and other ride-sharing services"

[rfmcdonald]

No one seems to have seen this coming, especially given Toronto's acceptance of Uber. From the Toronto Star's San Grewal:

In a break from its giant neighbour to the east, Mississauga council has suspended all operation of ride-sharing services such as UberX.

The only way ride-sharing companies can now legally operate in Mississauga is if they effectively follow the same regulations governing traditional taxis, after Wednesday's unanimous vote.

But Mayor Bonnie Crombie left the door open, ever so slightly. In a 10-2 vote, council decided that if Uber and other ride-sharing services suspend operations immediately, a committee will be struck to look at a possible ride-sharing pilot project.

“I think it will make the industry very pleased,” said Crombie, of the compromise, that leaves open the possibility of Uber to operate under different rules in the future.

“We think we have struck the right balance. We've listened very closely.”