Uber says it will not follow Surrey’s request to cease operations in the city, setting up a potentially nasty fight over the future of ride-hailing.

In a statement on Saturday, the company said “we respectfully decline” the city’s notice, which explained that Uber was in violation of Surrey bylaws requiring all “vehicles for hire” to have a business licence.

The company had until 9 p.m., Friday to pull out of the city, but on Saturday morning the app was still available for passengers to request pick-ups.

“Uber’s service is available in Surrey today,” the Western Canada head for Uber, Michael van Hemmen, told Global News.

“The provincial government has been very clear that cities are unable to block ridesharing from operating in them. Only the Passenger Transportation Board is able to approve companies operating in jurisdictions.”

The city’s general manager of corporate services, Rob Costanzo, explained in a statement on Friday that city council has not yet made a decision regarding how to issue licences for ride-hailing companies, and the city was asking Uber to cease operations “until a decision is made.”

Source: Read Full Article