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Regina’s taxi industry went to council chambers on Wednesday with a simple plea: Don’t put your trust in Uber and Lyft.

The city’s proposed ride-share regulations were up for debate at council’s executive committee. Taxi plate owners and cab company managers lined up to warn of ruined livelihoods, less service for disabled passengers and even a heightened risk of sexual assault. They urged the city to impose the same standards it applies to their sector to keep passengers safe.

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Lyft spokesman Matt Patton countered that the company does extensive background checks on its drivers and protects passengers using technology — notably through GPS and driver ratings.

“Lyft’s No. 1 priority is the safety of its users,” he said.

Councillors didn’t seem wholly convinced, especially after Patton proved unable to provide safety stats or identify what level of regulation the company would be willing to accept. Coun. Andrew Stevens called his responses “incredibly unhelpful.”