Everything You Need to Know About the Uber Ban in Mississauga

Today, the City of Mississauga sent out a press release outlining the basic facts surrounding council’s May 11 decision to effectively ban (for now) TNCs (transportation network companies).

For those who aren’t up to date on such jargon, a TNC is defined as a ridesharing company that connects customers to transportation in a privately-owned, non-commercial vehicle via a website or app (the biggest example being the embattled UberX).

While ridesharing companies have the option of registering as traditional taxi brokers to continue transporting paying customers in the city, most (such as Uber, for example) are not interested.  

Fortunately for ridesharing organizations, the city has extended a tentative and conditional olive branch. If TNCs (who we can assume will not obtain traditional broker licenses) agree to cease operations immediately, the city will form a committee that will work towards launching a ridesharing pilot program in the fall.

If ridesharing companies do not obey the order to suspend operations, the program will not be initiated.

Here’s a rundown of the basics, according to the press release:

This week, Mississauga city council approved (important facts in bold): 

• That the Public Vehicle Licensing By-law be amended for the regulation of transportation network companies (TNCs) where TNCs will be required to obtain a broker license and operate using only licensed taxi and limousine drivers, operating licensed taxi and limousine vehicles.

• That the Public Vehicle Licensing By-law will be amended to facilitate licensed taxi and limousine drivers being able to work for more than one brokerage.
• That staff be directed to report back to the Public Vehicle Advisory Committee on ways to modernize the regulation of taxi and limousine industries.

As for the pilot program, council passed a resolution to form a committee to develop a one-year program to “determine how TNCs will operate in Mississauga under council regulation.”

As for who will sit on the committee, the members will be Mayor Bonnie Crombie, Councillor Ron Starr, Councillor Karen Ras, a citizen member of PVAC, a representative from a taxi company and a representative from a TNC. The committee will work with the city’s Enforcement Division to develop a report on a pilot framework for the Sept. 21 general committee meeting.

As we said before, the launch of the proposed project is contingent upon TNCs ceasing operations immediately.  Should TNCs fail to obey the request, the committee will be disbanded.