Officials with ride-sharing colossus Uber suggest they may stop operating in London if politicians approve the regulation fees proposed by city hall.

In a letter sent Monday to city council, a copy of which was obtained by The Free Press, Uber is criticizing the “fee schedule” that’s likely set for final debate Tuesday.

“Uber has very serious concerns about the fee schedule that jeopardizes the future of ride-sharing in London,” the letter reads.

Uber’s concerns come as the other side of the issue – London’s traditional taxi industry – raises its own problems with the proposed bylaw that would essentially legalize Uber, a rule-breaking digital dispatcher since its arrival in London 18 months ago.

The firm’s global success may make it hard for some to believe that they face any kind of financial pinch, but their warning will get attention from city councillors, particularly those who’ve pushed to update the taxi bylaw to cover Uber and other ride-sharing firms like it.

The updated taxi bylaw was debated and all but approved in November. It came back to a council committee last week for what’s normally a final rubber-stamping – but it hit a political hurdle when it failed to get the committee’s endorsement.

It now goes to council Tuesday, where it will need to be revived if it’s to get final approval.

Meanwhile, there are the competing concerns being raised by both the London Taxi Association, which represents traditional cabbies, and Uber.

London Taxi Association officials believe the new proposed rules are full of “double standards,” specifically not requiring Uber drivers to install the dashboard cameras that are mandatory in traditional cabs.

Uber’s concerns are around the fees proposed by staff to regulate their drivers. It calls for $20,000 up front, plus 26 cents per ride and a $10 fee per driver per month.

Coun. Maureen Cassidy sought to propose an alternate fee structure, though it failed to get endorsed by council’s community and protective services committee. She will have a chance to revive it at council Tuesday.

Uber is proposing changes, such as making the annual fee $50,000 but cutting the per-ride fee to 11 cents.

Roger Caranci of the London Taxi Association says city staff have worked hard to set a fee structure that would cover the costs of enforcement. If council seeks to change it under pressure from Uber, it undermines the work of their own staff, he said.

“They should listen to their staff,” Caranci said of city council members. “We’ve said . . . let (the regulatory) system be fair. And we feel it’s fair what (city staff) has brought forward.”

Uber is a California-based tech firm whose app links people needing rides with people who use their private vehicles to pick them up for a fee. It’s upended the traditional taxi industry across North America.

pmaloney@postmedia.com

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