Insurance, criminal record check part of Edmonton’s ride-sharing bylaw

EDMONTON – Edmonton city council passed a bylaw last week that makes the Alberta capital the first Canadian city to legalize ride-sharing services such as Uber. Some key components of the bylaw, which comes into effect March 1:

— Both “private transportation providers” and taxis must charge a minimum of $3.25 for any trip pre-arranged through a mobile app.

— Only taxis are permitted to pick up street hails or use taxi stands.

— Private providers are required to have a provincially approved licence and insurance and an annual vehicle inspection.

— Drivers must also undergo criminal record checks.

— Uber is required to pay the city an annual fee of $70,000, plus six cents a ride.