Article content

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre is coming down against a new ride-share service that’s making its way into town.

uberX, a service that connects drivers with passengers via a smartphone app, is not operating within the city’s rules, according to Coderre.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or uberX ride-share service is 'illegal,' says Coderre Back to video

“I don’t have a problem with people people sharing, but when they say you have to pay for it — if there’s a commercial activity — well, you have some rules and some framework to respect,” said Coderre on Wednesday.

Coderre also said he was suspicious of the way Uber screens its drivers, stating that the police force is in charge of judicial screening in Montreal.

uberX allows drivers who the company say are “thoroughly screened” to drive passengers and receive a 20 per cent cut of the fare via credit cards linked to the app. Unlike the company’s other app Uber, uberX expands the service beyond regular taxis.

The taxi industry in Montreal has also called for the service to be banned, citing the lack of regulations as an argument.

In an email to the Montreal Gazette, Uber said the company would work with the policymakers to “modernize existing regulations to create a regulatory framework that embraces more choice and greater opportunity for Montreal.”

Montreal is the third Canadian city to see uberX take root after Toronto and Ottawa. According to the company, the service is offered in 150 cities around the world.