Uber welcome in Windsor, Mayor Drew Dilkens suggests changes

After finding controversy in several cities, the ride-sharing service Uber may have a willing host in Windsor, Ont.

In some Ontario cities, most notably Toronto and Ottawa, Uber has been met with protests from taxi drivers. Vancouver and Calgary also have municipal injunctions banning Uber from their cities.

But Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said Uber is welcome in Windsor. He asked administration toprovide city council with a report on amending city bylaws to allow Uber to operate in Windsor at Thursday's council meeting.

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"I think it's time," Dilkens told CBC News after the meeting. "I've used the service myself many times in other cities, I'm hearing people want to have the service here, so I think it's appropriate that we try and get ahead of the curvebefore Uber shows up at our doors."

Uber, a San Francisco-based company that works through a smart phone app, allows non-regulated drivers to pick up fares in their own personal vehicles. It already operates in more than 200 cities worldwide, though it's not yet in Windsor.

"Uber is not in Windsor, but it's expanding quickly and we'd rather have the discussion before they actually get to the city of Windsor, before there's any acrimony," Dilkens said. "I'd rather see if there is any interest from city council to see if we can make this work."

Uber does not own a fleet of vehicles, but instead has a service that connects customers to drivers who charge for the ride they offer. Uber co-ordinates the payments.

Critics argue it operates as an unlicensed taxi company and Windsor law firm Sutts, Strosberg LLP filed a class-action lawsuit against the company in July. The lawsuit alleges Uber violated parts of the Highway Traffic Act by offering services in their own cars, damaging the taxi industry.

On the streets of Windsor on Friday, there seemed to be support for seeing Uber become an option.

"I think it's a great idea. I think opens up the market for some competitive rates and things like that,"said Christina Brooks.

Robert Patyk also said he was open to seeing Uber come to Windsor.

"I would be for it, I would be open to the idea. I know a lot of friends of mine that used Uber and they were very happy with it,"he said. "So, I have no problem with it, whatsoever."

'A lot of benefits'

Dilkens said he welcomes the competition Uber drivers would bring to the city.

"We know services like Uber allow more people to work, it provides a good price and provides competition in markets," Dilkens said. "There's a lot of benefits of bringing a service like Uber to the City of Windsor.

Unifor Local 195, the union that represents cab drivers at Vets Cab, decline to comment. A spokesman said the union may have more to say late Monday.

An email to Uber asking why the company doesn't yet operate in Windsor, despite advertising for drivers online, was not addressed by the company.