Hundreds of Toronto cab drivers plan to stage a protest against Uber by blocking traffic outside City Hall on Monday.

Drivers say they are fed up losing business to the transportation network app.

In the demonstration, drivers will move slowly along a planned route beginning at Queens Quay and Yonge St. around 9 a.m., coinciding with the beginning of a three day court hearing into the city’s request for a permanent injunction to block Uber’s operations in Toronto.

“A company came into a regulated market and decided the rules don’t apply to them. In any other industry, this would not be happening. No restaurant could open without food inspections or a liquor license,” said Kristine Hubbard, operations manager for Beck Taxi, one of Toronto’s largest taxicab companies.

Beck is not organizing or formally supporting the protest.

Hubbard says she understands why drivers are upset. She believes the planned movement on June 1 is more of a show of support in favour of the city of Toronto than a protest.

“We need to show the city what’s happening,” said one driver, Muhammad, who did not wish to have his surname published.

Estimates indicate more than 500 drivers are planning to take part in the protest, far more than two previous protests this year.

Hubbard added that she didn’t hear about the last protest before it happened. This time, countless “very frustrated” drivers have informed Beck it will go ahead.

Uber Canada’s spokeswoma,n Susie Heath, said the regulatory framework hasn’t kept pace with the new technology her company offers.

She said: “I'm not aware of a taxi strike on June 1st, but I can tell you that our focus remains on working with City officials to help advance the best interests of Torontonians.

“We’re at the table engaged in an open dialogue to create a sensible regulatory framework for ride-sharing, the benefits of which are already being enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people in our city.

“We are advocates for the development of sound ride-sharing regulations that help enhance public safety and support consumer choice.”

To own a Toronto taxicab, you must buy a licence that costs $4,742 officially, although, in reality, licences sold on the open market last year for an average of $118,235. Individual drivers pay $633 to apply for a licence initially and a further $329 to renew the licence each year. They are also subject to criminal reference checks and completing CPR training.

Beck Taxi’s spokeswoman estimates Uber drivers pay “nothing,” although the transportation app says it is now willing to be licensed as a taxi company.

Another licensed cab driver, who did not wish to be named, said: “We are suffering. Without legalization, it’s not good. They [Uber drivers] don’t have insurance, they don’t have a licence. If there’s anything wrong or an accident or something, the customer doesn’t get any benefit.”

In addition to the loss of business, cab drivers say they are protesting the lack of safety and accountability of Uber drivers. On May 20, an Uber driver was arrested for the sexual assault of a passenger.

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In the hearing scheduled to begin Mon., June 1, the city is arguing that Uber operates illegally and should be stopped over public safety issues.

The upcoming protest follows a smaller one outside City Hall on May 14.

On May 27, 300 limousine drivers at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport protested losing business to Uber.

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