The City of London is levying hefty fines against people accepting cash payments for private car rides outside of apps like Uber and Lyft.
Four drivers were recently charged $1,000 each, according to City officials, during a bylaw enforcement blitz targeting the drivers Friday.
“Late night, when the bars let out and people need rides, the general public should not just be getting into any car where the driver says, ‘I drive for X or I drive for Y, I’ll take you home,'” said Orest Katolyk, London’s director of municipal compliance.
“That’s what’s been happening, and we’re concerned about this. It’s a very high safety issue for us.”
Since 2017, a city bylaw has required all private rides to be arranged and paid for through apps that allow customers to request rides, connecting them with drivers. The apps, which include Uber and Lyft, must be licensed in the city.
The fine for first offences under the bylaw ring in at $1,000. Subsequent offences cost offenders $2,000.
According to Katolyk, by-law enforcement officers found six instances of unlicensed people offering private rides for cash, and fined four drivers who provided those rides.
He said the recent crackdown began when complaints came in claiming drivers were ignoring the bylaw.
It’s a very high safety issue for us.– Orest Katolyk, London’s director of municipal compliance
“The purpose of the bylaw is to provide transportation services … that provide a safe envrionment to both the passenger and the driver, as well as for consumer protection,” Katolyk said. “We have a strategic plan, and in the strategic plan we have a pillar that’s focused on safety, specifically that of women.”
He pointed to safety features on popular ride-hailing apps that include GPS tracking, phone number anonymization and the ability to share ride status and location with loved ones.
Moving forward, Katolyk said more enforcement blitzes will happen, and if offenders continue to be found his office may ask council to tighten the regulations further.
“If this continues, we may be recommending to council that these private vehicle-for-hire drivers be licensed by the municipality the same as taxicab and limousine drivers.”
