The meter starts running in less than two weeks on a court case between the City of Edmonton and car-sharing giant Uber.

The city filed an injunction against the company in the Court of Queens Bench Feb. 5 demanding they cease operations. On Friday, it was announced that the case will begin to be heard in justice chambers March 3.

Along with the injunction, the city has also filed a suit against Uber for operating without a licence.

These are just the latest moves in an ongoing dispute that began at the end of last year when Uber first started recruiting drivers for its app-based company that allows anyone with a car and a clean driving record to charge people for rides.

Edmonton's taxi community protested outside city hall and days later filled council chambers during an executive committee meeting to voice their concern that Uber would both harm the car for hire industry and put passengers at risk of drivers without proper training or insurance.

The city asked Uber to stop offering rides until lawmakers had a chance to consider a compromise. Uber then responded by offering free rides for a limited time.

In the meantime, the city says they have fined Uber drivers up to $1,400 for operating without a proper licence. Despite that, on Friday afternoon, shortly after the court date was set, as many as eight available Uber drivers could be found on the company's app within minutes of city hall.

david.lazzarino@sunmedia.ca

@SUNDaveLazz