The union leader who represents TTC drivers‎ has accused Mayor John Tory and Premier Kathleen Wynne of “wimping out” by failing to shut down what he called an unregulated “gypsy cab” service.

“They should simply pass a new provincial law and city ordinance that will shut Uber down until it agrees to abide by the law and offer its services on a level playing field. And pay a huge penalty for giving our local government ‘the one-finger salute,’ as Mayor Tory said in October,” Bob Kinnear, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, said in a statement released today.

Kinnear suggested the mayor has since surrendered to the American company and is now hiding behind a “weak Crown prosecution.”

RELATED:TTC’s lawyers to examine UberHop commuting service

Referring to the launch of UberHop, a new fixed route $5 ride service, he also raised the spectre of added traffic congestion in Toronto’s already clogged downtown.

‎”Bus and streetcar operators have a daily challenge getting our passengers from Point A to Point B safely and efficiently. The last thing we need is a gaggle of unlicenced, unregulated and uninsured itinerant drivers further clogging our roads during rush hour for a few extra bucks,” he said.

‎Kinnear slammed those who suggest Uber is about giving the public choice.

“Is it a good thing that people choose to not vaccinate their children against infectious diseases? Or is it a good thing that companies get to choose whether they obey worker health and safety laws? Why bother to even have a government if it won’t enforce its own laws?” he said.

Read more about: