TORONTO

The tickets handed to UberX drivers may be fake, but the message Beck Taxi is trying to deliver isn’t.

Kristine Hubbard, operations manager of Beck Taxi Ltd., used the Uber app to signal UberX cars to Lombard St. Wednesday, and when the drivers arrived, she issued each an oversized yellow mock ticket with a $500 fine for “operating a taxi without a city licence.”

“Were they told they don’t need commercial insurance by Uber or is it they know they’re breaking the law and willing to take the risk?” Hubbard said.

“We also ... show how easy it is for these bylaws to be enforced.”

None of the drivers had commercial insurance, but they said Uber told them it had won its fight with the city and there wouldn’t be any new guidelines until January and it’s fine to operate as usual until then.

Hubbard told them that’s not the case considering a “regulatory framework” to accommodate Uber in the city’s taxi and limousine bylaws won’t come back to council until spring 2016.

In a letter to city council dated Monday, Tracey Cook, executive director of municipal licensing and standards, says UberX was given until Oct. 19 to cease operation.

To date, 102 UberX drivers have been slapped with 204 charges.

“The city will undertake the relevant enforcement actions as deemed appropriate,” licensing department spokesman Tammy Robbinson said Monday.

Uber Canada said it communicates regularly with its riders and drivers about unfolding municipal ridesharing policies.

“It’s unfortunate that Ms. Hubbard has chosen to spend her time intimidating hardworking UberX partners,” spokesman Susie Heath said. “Our focus remains on continuing our productive conversation with Tracey Cook and (the licensing department) regarding the recent bylaw changes and how we can work within a regulated environment.”

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WHAT THE UberX DRIVERS SAY:

MOHAMED, driving a Jeep Compass

“I just signed up on the Internet. I have to contact Uber. I will tell them I will quit. I’m just going to get another job. I’ve been a driver for one month.”

MOHAMMAD, driving a Mazda 3

“(Uber) told me eventually I would have to get commercial insurance. I am still in the taxi driver’s course. It’s just a time frame. It’s not a risk I’m trying to take. I know there’s going to be city legislation that comes in in January, so I’m just waiting until that point. If I get a ticket or something, at that point, that’s when you stop.”

He also said Uber would “probably not” help him if he got into a collision.

NARENDRAN, driving a Toyota Camry

“I didn’t know that I needed this insurance. Uber said they were fighting with the city and they won the case. Everything is OK. Why don’t you fight with Uber directly? Why are you bothering us? I went to an (Uber recruitment) seminar in Scarborough and they said everything’s good to go and there’s no trouble.”

WAYNE, driving a Honda Odyssey

“I know the debates that have been going on and the risks. I’m all for Uber being regulated. I think we can work together. I’m not trying to piss anyone off or break any laws. I certainly hope (Uber would help me if my insurance was cancelled), that’s what they claim. I’m just doing this until I get my next contract. I think that competition is good. The taxi industry needs competition and the way it’s implemented has rubbed them the wrong way. Innovation may not seem fair in the beginning.”