No business license applications have been received by the City of St. Albert as of Friday for drivers with the uberX rideshare service to operate here.
Uber launched its uberX rideshare service in Edmonton last week. The service uses an app to connect drivers with people who need rides, though its website “fine print” notes it’s not a transportation provider.
Cory Sinclair, communications manager for the City of St. Albert, said for drivers to operate in St. Albert, under city bylaws, they’d have to apply for a business license.
Unless they received such an application, or complaints, the city government will otherwise “have no idea” if any drivers for Uber are operating in St. Albert, Sinclair said.
The launch of the uberX program in Edmonton has brought consternation from that city’s taxi association and warnings from the City of Edmonton and Edmonton Police Services, along with a promise of crackdowns once a free trial period.
In Edmonton, there’s a rigorous municipal licensing process. In St. Albert, there are no taxi licensing regulations in place. Companies can choose the level to which they screen drivers on their own, something the St. Albert RCMP has raised concerns about before.
Sgt. Carolyn Cameron said their concerns about Uber coming to town would be similar to their concerns about unlicenced taxis.
“You have no idea who you’re getting into a car with,” Cameron said. “Basically a rider is getting into a car with a stranger.”
Cameron wondered what kind of checks were being done on the drivers or the vehicles themselves.
While Uber didn’t respond to a request for information about whether or not their Edmonton launch includes St. Albert, online it’s possible to get fare estimates for locations in St. Albert to destinations in Edmonton.
Their website says for their Edmonton drivers they require criminal background checks, a driver’s abstract, proof of insurance and vehicle registration, specific checks for any sexual offences, impaired driving and traffic offences and that every ride is covered by an insurance policy with coverage up to $5-million U.S.
