Uber advertising for drivers in Sudbury

Uber, the controversial ride-sharing company that has become the bane of taxi companies everywhere, is interested in coming to Sudbury.

The company is advertising for drivers in Sudbury, although there have been no reports Uber is actually operating in the city yet.

“Drive with Uber and get paid weekly in fares by helping our community of riders get around town,” the job ad reads.

“Driving with Uber is a great way to earn cash on your schedule. The more you drive, the more you can earn. It's simple and perfect for those looking for seasonal, work-from-home, entry level, temporary, or any type of job opportunities.”

Uber requires drivers be at least 21 years old, have a four-door vehicle and a driver's license.

As other cities in Canada have struggled to respond to Uber, city council will look to address the issue at their Oct. 20 meeting. Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh's motion would have staff report on what impact Uber would have.

The motion calls for a “review of the implications of Uber and similar technology-based companies and ride share systems, including the interests of the public in the technology and impacts on the current taxicab and limousine industries, and to report these findings to City of Greater Sudbury Council in the first quarter of 2016 for discussion and deliberation with a long term goal of updating the taxi bylaw.”

Uber could have a huge impact on the local taxi industry, which is currently operating under a revamped taxi bylaw approved in spring 2014. The bylaw replaced one that dated back to amalgamation in 2000 that was designed to protect cab companies that operated in the former municipalities.

The Greater Sudbury Airport gave one company exclusive rights to work the airport, a major source of revenue for other cab companies. That prompted a review of the old bylaw, which restricted companies to operating in certain zones of the city. The bylaw makes it easier for taxis to work in other parts of the city, and made reviews of fares more frequent, a move prompted by rising gas prices.

Now the beleaguered industry faces a potential challenge from Uber. Larger Canadian cities have adopted a range of approaches, from trying to ban it to imposing heavy fines and regulations in an attempt to level the playing field for cab companies.