Article content continued

Not only does the UberX offering violate bylaws in Calgary’s and Edmonton’s highly controlled taxi system, it also appears to run afoul of two provincial rules: that drivers who charge for trips must have commercial drivers’ licences, and carry special insurance. Uber recently tried to dodge these rules by offering free trips in Edmonton, but lawyers there deem that illegal as well, as its council looks for ways to allow the service.

Alberta Transportation has been monitoring this emerging regulatory headache, but hasn’t yet launched any active review or study of provincial rules, said Christine Way, a spokeswoman for Transportation Minister Wayne Drysdale.

Uber has recruited drivers for its general ride-share app here in Calgary, but they’ve been working more to make inroads with its more traditional limo-hailing service, Uber Black.

The city’s taxi and limousine advisory committee is seeking public feedback on a proposal that would let regulated Calgary limousines take hail trips — at higher fares than taxis, but without the current $86 minimum hourly rate.

Colley-Urquhart said city lawyers have a raft of questions and concerns about Uber’s eventual entry. The councillor lacks her own opinion on the merits of embracing a company known to spike its prices during extreme high-demand times, which city cabs aren’t allowed to do.

“I’m open to kind of whatever this turns out to be,” she said.

The southwest councillor, who has pushed before for reforms to address chronic cab shortages during Calgary weekends and other peak times, isn’t including any timeline with her bid for a provincial review.

jmarkusoff@calgaryherald.com