Thread by @KristineHubbard

An owner driver at today’s meeting (and I think it’s a testament to the attendance today) says “We’ve done this! We’ve been whipped to death.” This is so awful to witness...again.

Owner-driver Steve is right. “Why did the executive director get a report that we had enough cars then invite more? I’m upset.” 😣

Then he apologizes to staff for being upset. THIS IS STUPID.

First question to these people: What has your experience been since the new bylaw was introduced? Frank has been driving for decades: “It’s unfair and it has created thousands of low-paying jobs.”

“Changes have been made to accommodate foreign companies at the expense of people who work here. No vehicle inspections? No training? Who is this good for?”

Taxis are identifiable and are like sitting ducks for police. Ride-hailing drivers aren’t even marked and enforcement is unfairly heavy on taxis.

An owner makes the point about the congestion study: “Why are you talking to us about this? You know how many taxis there are and you invited tens of thousands more cars”

“Lack of training for PTC drivers is slowing traffic down. They’re staring at an app. They are not road-wise. Uber customers don’t know that they can complain to the city”

Majeed “There is one word. From every perspective. It’s ‘devastating’. It wasn’t fair and the impacts are devastating from all sides. They’re doing the same business as we are. Why don’t they have the same rules?” So frustrated. It’s painful to watch this.

Staff are nice people. I see the new members (most are) and they seem eager to learn but this is a room full of people who have done this a thousand times. They’ve been hammered time and time again and so many just can’t do it again.

“Everyone should pay the same fees. They should be subject to the same cap.”

“They have no numbers, no unique identification for individual cars. I asked a police officer who said ‘how can we charge them if we don’t know which ones they are?’ There should be transparency.”

Truth: “We’ve been here before. We’ve done this - made recommendations - no one listens. We want to know how this will be different. You’re not able to answer our questions.”

“People say nothing else is limited - restaurants etc - but they are. They are limited by commercial zoning. Like every other business.”

Tracey Cook hasn’t attended a meeting yet. She’s just getting back from Singapore. No doubt speaking to other regulators about what a wonderful job Toronto did in THIS. WTF. 😑 #TOpoli #VFHreview