Uber warns of higher prices and longer wait times following Toronto’s decision to freeze new licences for ride-hailing.
The company, which runs in-car apps such as Uber and Lyft, also recently announced it was going to suspend surge pricing for its rides in Toronto.
“This week’s announcement will bring in just over 40,000 new drivers who will be allowed to join our system,” says Uber spokesperson Chris Killick. “It will be a great moment of good news.”
Killick says the additional drivers are going to be added during the summer, which should be in place by the end of the month.
But the Uber CEO says that while the new drivers were welcomed, drivers across the country have also seen an increase in fares.
“It means that for our drivers, and for our business to be successful we have to continue to invest in our operations and to make sure that our drivers make it to their destination safely,” says Killick. “And this includes keeping up service and making sure drivers can make a decent living for themselves and their families.”
A spokesperson for the city says the city is working on a new ride-hailing service and in the meantime is working to identify more drivers.
“We’ve always believed that ridesharing is a good service for the city and will continue to work with providers of the service to make sure that drivers are safe and have access to transportation services,” says Doug Ford’s spokesperson, Tracey MacLellan.
