first come first served...19 vaccination. in a letter to the editors of various news-papers, a...

Volume 4 Issue 30 January 2021 Email: [email protected] PH: 647 8657854

Website: https://sikaservices.com

Taxi Voice News

Mississauga- senior should be provided taxi rides ena-bling them to get COVID-19 vaccination. In a letter to the editors of various news-papers, a veteran taxi driv-er, a columnist a deep ob-server of taxi matters, Mr. Mark Sexsmith said that the initial stage of the COVID-19 vaccine(s) rollout has seen some de-gree of hesitation, but seems to be on the right track in getting those on the front lines and in long term care facilities covered.

However, no where have I heard of what the plans are

for the next stage, that of vaccinating individuals in the upper age groups. While the current stage doesn't present serious lo-gistical problems, as the recipients are in either a medical facility, or in a group setting that is rela-tively easy to administer, the next stage presents some serious logistical problems that need to be assessed to avoid the "barn door-ism" that has charac-terized the government's approach to many aspects of this pandemic. He further said. Specifying on- coming problems of scheduling is of critical importance, as a

"first come-first served" approach is a non starter. Problem #1-communicating to the tar-get age group the availa-bility of the service, and how to arrange for an ap-pointment. Problem #2-setting up an infrastruc-ture to co-ordinate the scheduling. Problem #3-getting the patients to and from the injection sites (given that at home visits are not practical for those vaccines that require re-frigeration etc.). Problem #4-getting said patients back and forth to the in-jection sites for the sec-ondary treatment.

While many seniors are capable of getting to injec-tion sites on their own, by driving, on public transit, or being transported by a friend or family member, many will not be able to independently arrange (or afford) transportation. This problem will be particularly acute in rural regions. Ex-pecting family members to take time off work may not be an option. Many seniors may be wary of the chanc-es of contracting the virus on public transit. He sug-gested that part of the plan to get the most effective coverage for the senior population is to provide them with the option of hav-ing the Provincial Govern-ment cover the cost of taxi fares to and from the injec-tion sites. All taxi brokers accept Government of On-tario taxi chits. As part of the scheduling regimen, a patient could indicate that they are coming/going by taxi, and at the injection site, the personnel check-ing patients in for their scheduled appointment could issue the drivers a taxi chit for each fare. Each patient could either arrange for their own taxi trip, or have the numbers of the local taxi brokers sup-plied to them when they schedule their appointment. Taxi brokers would advise their drivers when they dis-patch the order that it will be on a Government of On-tario taxi chit. While this suggestion obviously adds to the cost of the vaccina-tion program, it also en-sures the broadest level of participation in a demo-graphic that is the most prone to negative outcomes from infection by this virus. A $20-$40 taxi fare is way cheaper than an admission to hospital or the ICU. I would like to thank the Star for its continuing in-depth coverage of this public health crisis.

Taxi Voice News

Toronto (NR) City of To-ronto and partners com-pleting resident vaccina-tions at all 87 long-term care homes in Toronto

Today, the City of Toronto confirmed that COVID-19 immunization clinics have been held at all 87 long-term care homes in Toron-to. The vaccination mile-stone comes well in ad-vance of the Province of Ontario’s January 21, 2021 deadline to complete the first round of vaccina-tions in long-term care homes.

More than 10,322 resi-dents and 2,893 staff and essential caregivers have now been vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine on-site in Toronto long-term care homes. In addition, staff and essential care-givers have attended hos-pital clinics to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

The City directly operates 10 of the 87 long-term care homes in Toronto: Bendale Acres, Carefree Lodge, Castleview Wych-wood Towers, Cummer Lodge, Fudger House, Kipling Acres, Lakeshore Lodge, Seven Oaks, True Davidson Acres and Wes-burn Manor. Residents in City-run homes began to be vaccinated on Decem-ber 31, 2020; the first staff doses were administered by University Health Net-work on December 14. More than 90 per cent of City-operated long-term care home residents have now been vaccinated with their first dose of vaccine. Immunization clinics con-tinue in City-operated homes to enable more residents, staff members and essential caregivers to receive the vaccine. Immunization is voluntary.

Taxi Voice Canada January 2021 Ph: 647 865 7854 Email: [email protected] Page 2

Taxi industry expert Dr Mike Galvin is a former London Green Badge Taxi Driver and now consultant within the taxi and private hire indus-try. Here he writes about his journey studying for a doctorate.

Taxi Voice Monitoring Desk

ETHNOGRAPHY AND BLACK Cab

Having completed an MBA I decided that the next step for me was to study for a doctorate. Studying for a doctorate is a wide canvas, there are few rules other than your research must be your own (no plagiarism) and you must make a con-tribution to original knowledge. So, what areas of the world or the universe should I spend the next seven years studying? Well, being that I had com-pleted the knowledge of London, driven a cab, man-aged a taxi company (ComCab) and then worked for TfL, the choice seemed to be a simple one; I would study Knowledge boys, taxi drivers and try to establish how the industry relates to itself, its members, its foes, its regulator and the travel-ling public. I chose a frame-work through which to carry out my research known as Ethnography; the study of tribes.

As you read this series of articles, I am hoping that much will resonate with your thoughts and experi-ences in what is a hugely interesting, responsible, impressive and unique in-dustry. I write from the per-spective of a fast disap-pearing group of people, of service and of reliability and of generosity. As the frame-work of my approach to research featured at look-ing at the industry as a ‘tribe’ I was seeking the common traits, the general-ities, the accepted and re-jected behaviours, the memes and norms of the participants based on my experiences and the experi-ences of others including taxi drivers and the trade and general press. How did a community of individuals present themselves as a homogenous group – are ‘all cab drivers the same’?

Starting at the Beginning

My research began by my

recollections (auto ethnog-raphy) of taxis as a child, a teenager and went through my entry to the Knowledge, the Knowledge itself, taxi driving and then attempting to engineer business pro-cess change as part of the management team at Com-Cab. From the beginning I saw taxis in London as a treat, we took a cab on special occasions and it was always an experience. As I grew older and trav-elled alone or with friends the cabby was a font of knowledge on many levels, entertaining and whole-some. The drivers ap-peared to be older, well dressed, probably ex-servicemen as most older men were when I was growing up. When I started to think about joining the industry I got to know more about the trade through conversations with family, and friends of the family, and during taxi journeys. It seemed a good living, you were your own boss, the regulations and Knowledge of London appeared oner-ous but hey there were lots of black cabs and therefore it must be possible to com-plete it. So, I signed up.

Every Step Was Rich With Symbolism

Public Institutions in post war Britain had an inherent authority, they were quite literally a law unto them-selves and in those days that authority and self-manufactured authority was rarely questioned and even more rarely challenged. The extent of these institu-tions’ legal authority never seemed to feature in any discussion. Such was the Public Carriage Office (PCO) a deific, self-assured, and almost per-emptory entity. It did not consider its own failings, it did not have clients and it gave out all of the signals necessary to successfully ensure that any oik cross-ing its hallowed threshold to try to become a taxi driv-er was no longer a member of the public. They certainly did not embrace the mod-ern-day culture of ‘clients’. By even applying for the Knowledge it appeared that you were wasting your own time and more importantly the PCO Officers’ time. PCO Officers routinely gave off the clear signal that they had much more important things to deal

with. Although the Public Carriage existed totally to process applications from would-be taxi drivers (as well as managing taxi driv-er licensing and taxi testing and licensing), the institu-tion managed to portray an aura of it all being a bit be-low what they really existed for… what that actually was who knows.

Not So Much A Warm Welcome As A Gleeful Goodbye

What objectives the PCO Officer hoped to achieve with his welcome or intro-ductory speech were hard to decipher. They certainly were not to make anyone feel confident, pleased they had decided to become a taxi driver or in any way the most important people in the room. No Sir!

The thirty or so Knowledge boys, scrubbed, suited and booted sitting in front of this middle aged, middle class, relatively well spoken, probably ex policeman were there to find out that they were never likely to succeed in their aspiration of becoming a London taxi driver. With some una-shamed glee he pulled stats from the air and threw them at this young, keen crowd who had probably agonised before making important career decisions and for some life-changing decisions. Without the slightest introspection he gleefully announced that ‘90% of you will never be-come taxi drivers’. He

spoke about the public rev-erently and as a different species which we, the as-pirant taxi drivers were clearly to no longer feel part of, but presumably he firmly remained a member of that hallowed group. Us and them was used as a powerful device to position us, decent folk with no criminal records as a lower order. We, because we all wanted to become taxi drivers, swallowed our pride and normal conven-tions in exchange for a chance to realise our ambi-tion. Was that true? In my case it certainly was and I expect my cohort were much the same.

He spoke about passen-gers in reverential terms, restaurants I’d never heard of, synagogues, cemeter-ies and mansion blocks by name with a familiarity which was impressive – here was a world of which I knew little. At the end he enquired if anyone had any questions – no one did. They had all been briefed beforehand, go suited and booted, yes sir/no sir and say nothing! A weak smile flashed across his inscruta-ble face as he closed with what was obviously a well-worn line delivered with withering and resigned dis-missal… nice to meet you all and sorry that we will probably never meet again!

The group headed out qui-etly and briskly but very orderly, there was no eye contact, no knowing winks

or eyes to heaven – every-one knew better. There was a feeling that we had all played our part in a ritual – we knew our parts and he knew his. This would not be the first time that I had the feeling of being expected to play my part as a butler, pantry maid or gardener played theirs in a big house. Whilst the PCO Of-ficer may not have been the Lord or Squire he was cer-tainly on first name terms with them!

In some respects, his pseu-do head masterly tone, his attempts to silo us all so-cially and the arrogance that permeates the British aspiring middle classes that he communicated so effec-tively had perhaps the op-posite effect on me than he might have expected. I ac-tually saw it as a challenge – I would be back and I would be within the 10%.

The Knowledge – An En-durance Like No Other

Without any of the patronis-ing comments about the Knowledge of London be-ing harder than a degree I can honestly say that only someone who has never done both could compare the two in that way! It is a huge understatement. I have completed a degree, Masters and I have sur-vived a Doctorate and I can honestly say the Knowledge was harder. The deprivations, the cold, the wet, the sheer volume of data that not only had to

Taxi Voice Canada January 2021 Ph: 647 865 7854 Email: [email protected] Page 3 Website: https://sikaservices.com

Courtesy Taxi Point

be absorbed but had to be recalled in a vast variety of scenarios. Journeys from every different direction from everywhere to any-where. The human mind, the brain, is truly the most remarkable device on the planet. And stimulating it to enable the level of learning needed and the instant re-call that every London taxi driver has is truly amazing.

The Knowledge to me is one of Britain’s most valua-ble experiences. It adds a value to the licence which the survivors gain that is above anything else (save family and friends). The importance of that badge is encapsulated in the sheer will power, the grit and guts, the blood, sweat and tears and enormous effort that every single taxi driver has expended on gaining it. Yes, you know every street, building and frankly crack in the pavement by the end but it is more than a training and testing programme. It is life-changing and I believe life-enhancing for many people. I interviewed tough, street wise men who be-came tearful talking about the day they got their badge. A blessed relief maybe but also an im-portant, probably one of the most important, milestones in their life. I have spoken to people who left school at 15 with a swimming certifi-cate and who did the Knowledge and felt after that they could achieve an-ything. People’s confidence grew on the Knowledge – you could evidence this at Knowledge schools, the quiet guy who never knew many of the points grew in stature, in confidence and in self-belief as he studied hard and gradually led the pack by knowing every point, every restricted turn and the idiosyncratic ques-tions such as Isherwood House (It was Fisherwood House but the F had fallen of the building). Amongst the working class, a breed that our friend sneered at as explained at the begin-ning of this piece, undertak-

ing the Knowledge of Lon-don was recognised as what it was an incredible task and amongst our non-taxi driver peers there is great respect for this under-taking.

Verbal Competence Tests – Appearances

No psychologist could have invented a system more likely to reduce grown men to quivering wrecks. The most confident, bombastic, boxers, barrow boys, ex-servicemen of our cohort shrunk almost physically on his (they were almost 100% men) way into Penton Street and visibly shook entering the grey anony-mous PCO Building. The smell of polish on shiny floors, the clatter of type-writers behind frosted glass – those were the sounds and smells of the PCO which always felt cold. Then you arrived at the counter and the receptionist who was always busy, too busy to deal with aspirant cab drivers, which was actually her only job! When she deigned to be ready snapped ‘card’! You were told, not invited or asked, to go the waiting room. A small smoke-filled room with those civil service chairs – tubular steel and plastic shaped seats. No one spoke, everyone looked nervous, many smoked.

Some examiners appeared at the door and asked for Mr Smith, others barked a hardly audible name from their office, some arrived and called a surname. On entry to the bleak offices the only noise was ‘card’! You were expected to hand over your card, wait to be told to be seated and then asked in fairly rapid succes-sion 6/7 questions. No ‘well done’, in fairness no ‘try harder’s’, just your card handed back and the exam-iner looked at the door – your cue to go.

Did the examiners know the route? Who knows? Why no welcome, attempts to put candidates at their

ease? Was the plan to make you ill at ease? If so why? Who knows? All I do know is that the harder you worked the quicker you re-ceived reductions. The sys-tem as archaic, as weird and as inscrutable as it was worked. When you eventu-ally left Penton Street with a shiny badge, my goodness you had earned it. I say with absolute conviction – no one slipped through, no one was lucky, no one got the benefit of the doubt. You had all suffered, strug-gled, called over, gone ‘to see points’ and become an expert in London’s topogra-phy, its landmarks, its va-garies and even some of its history and you were able to recall it from memory and rattle off those runs with growing confidence and precision.

Did it Work?

It is hard to measure suc-cess if you don’t know what the objective was to start with. However, if what the whole process was meant to do was to take rude mat-ter and fashion it into a topographical expert – it worked. If it was to make sure that however tough, streetwise or clever you thought you were that it ensured that you were go-ing to act like a sycophant within those sacred walls – it worked. If when you re-ceived your badge you swore a secret oath that you would never do any-thing to endanger it – it worked. I suppose one im-portant question is could it have been done another way? Could the welcome meeting actually have been made a pleasant experi-ence, could our head mas-terly friend have welcomed you, praised you for a great career choice and genuine-ly wished you well? Could the lady on reception actu-ally say good morning? Could the examiners have adopted a more communi-cative approach? And if all of these things changed would the outcome have been the same? We shall never know. Likewise, the aspirant taxi drivers could have asked questions at the meeting, could have dressed more casually, could have expected to be treated with courtesy at re-ception but did not demand it. No, both sides played their part in the ritual, the aspirant cab drivers had their motivation… that badge, but what of the PCO? Were they simply products of national ser-vice, middle class preten-sions or something else?

Taxi Voice Canada. January 2021 Ph: 647 865 7854 Email: [email protected] Page 4

Syed Ali — Taxi Voice

5998 Prairie Circle, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5N 6B1

Tel : 647 865 7854

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January 2021

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Voice

Automated Speed En-

forcement devices issued

more than 53,000 tickets

at the first round of loca-

tions with a steady reduc-

tion in speeding incidents

and repeat offenders in

Toronto. According to a

news release issued by

the city of Toronto, there have been 50 Automated

Speed Enforcement (ASE) devices issued a total of

53,090 tickets at the first round of locations, from July

6, 2020 through the final day of enforcement on No-

vember 30, 2020, before the devices started enforce-

ment at the second round of locations on December 1,

2020. So, guys, slow down. We have not much work

due to lockdown. We can not afford to ad more liabili-

ties. As you know, the Covid-19 vaccine is now availa-

ble and eventually, every resident will be vaccinated.

In the first stage, the government is giving vaccines to

the front-line worker such as Nurses and patient at-

tendants. The senior population will be vaccinated on a

priority basis too. The authorities have started vaccina-

tions in 87 long term care homes in Toronto. If they

decide to call seniors to vaccination stations, we may

have fares for transporting seniors to the vaccination

stations and back to their homes. Fares could be in the

form of Taxi chit or Taxi script.

COVID-19 19 vaccine rollout

The initial stage of the COVID-19 19 vaccine (s) rollout has seen some de-gree of hesitation, but seems to be on the right track in getting those on the front lines and in long term care facilities covered.

However, no where have I heard of what the plans are for the next stage, that of vaccinating individuals in the upper age groups. While the current stage doesn't present serious logistical problems, as the recipients are in either a medical facility, or in a group setting that is rela-tively easy to administer, the next stage presents some serious logistical problems that need to be assessed to avoid the "barn door-ism" that has characterized the govern-ment's approach to many aspects of this pandemic.

Specifically, the matter of scheduling is of critical im-portance, as a "first come-first served" approach is a non starter. Problem #1-communicating to the tar-get age group the availabil-ity of the service, and how to arrange for an appoint-ment. Problem #2-setting up an infrastructure to co-ordinate the scheduling. Problem #3-getting the pa-tients to and from the injec-tion sites (given that at home visits are not practi-cal for those vaccines that require refrigeration etc). Problem #4-getting said patients back and forth to the injection sites for the secondary treatment.

While many seniors are capable of getting to injec-tion sites on their own, by driving, on public transit, or being transported by a friend or family member, many will not be able to independently arrange (or afford) transportation. This problem will be particularly acute in rural regions. Ex-pecting family members to take time off work may not

be an option. Many seniors may be wary of the chanc-es of contracting the virus on public transit.

I would like to suggest that part of the plan to get the most effective coverage for the senior population is to provide them with the op-tion of having the Provincial Government cover the cost of taxi fares to and from the injection sites. All taxi bro-kers accept Government of Ontario taxi chits. As part of the scheduling regimen, a patient could indicate that they are coming/going by taxi, and at the injection site, the personnel check-ing patients in for their scheduled appointment could issue the drivers a taxi chit for each fare. Each patient could either arrange for their own taxi trip, or have the numbers of the local taxi brokers sup-plied to them when they schedule their appointment. Taxi brokers would advise their drivers when they dis-patch the order that it will be on a Government of On-tario taxi chit.

While this suggestion obvi-ously adds to the cost of the vaccination program, it also ensures the broadest level of participation in a demographic that is the most prone to negative out-comes from infection by this virus. A $20-$40 taxi fare is way cheaper than an admission to hospital or the ICU.

I would like to thank the Star for its continuing in-depth coverage of this pub-lic health crisis.


Kitchener- Since March of 2020, taxi services across Waterloo Region have been struggling. With the on-going COVID-19 pan-demic and the province in its second lockdown, cab drivers are not seeing their usual ridership as rider's habits have changed.

"There aren’t the shopping trips or the visiting going on, you can tell it's slowed down dramatically, there were doctors’ appoint-ments that people were going to and even those are almost non-existent," said Peter Neufeld, Presi-dent of Waterloo Taxi.

However, for the future, when the pandemic is over, Neufeld is expecting a massive influx of travellers using their services to get to the airport, because that is a large part of the taxi business.

"We need people to start travelling again, it's all part and parcel, it's that trickle-down effect of business, people travel, people need a way to the airport, we're that option, and that's what I'm waiting for, and that will be the big part of things turning around when peo-ple start travelling again."

Not only is out-of-town trav-

elling important for taxi ser-vices, but Neufeld said it is crucial to have those in town trips as well.

"We need people to go out and do things again, so I'm hoping things turn around for 2021, I'm crossing my fingers on this, and hoping for the best."

Neufeld added throughout the pandemic, cab drivers have not seen much help from the province, which has kept Waterloo Taxi scrambling to create new and innovative ways to draw more ridership for 2021.

Courtesy Kitchener Today.com


DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – A 21-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing a ride-share driver during a ride in Dallas Fri-day morning, police said.

Police said they responded to a report just before 12 p.m. in the 4100 block of Langdon Road.

Arriving officers found the victim, 33-year-old Joshua Miller, dead from what po-lice described as homicidal violence.

Through an investigation, police learned Miller was a ride-share driver who had

picked up the suspect at a nearby location. Police said the suspect demanded property during the ride and allegedly assaulted the vic-tim until he died.

The suspect was identified as Joshua Scott, 21, and he was soon located and arrested, police said.

Scott was taken to Lew Sterrett Jail, where he was charged with capital mur-der. His bond has not yet been set.

Mutual respect may limit car ac-cidents involving pedestrians

Both pedestrians and vehi-cle operators are always at risk of being involved in traf-fic accidents in Ontario. For this reason, it is the respon-sibility of all to obey the rules of the road to avoid car accidents. If each group respects the other, there may be fewer injuries and fatalities.

Pedestrians must cross only in marked crosswalks and at traffic lights, and even then it is wise to make sure driv-ers are aware of them be-fore they step onto the road-way -- making eye contact may be best. Crossing on a red light is tempting fate, and the best practice is to wait for green or the "Walk" sign -- even if there are no approaching vehicles. Mak-ing sure there is enough time to complete the cross-ing might also help to stay safe. Watching for turning vehicles at intersections and driveways could prove to be a life-saving habit.

Drivers must always keep a lookout for pedestrians -- particularly upon approach to crosswalks or intersec-tions. This also applies when attempting a turn at a crossing or into parking lots or private driveways. Being extra vigilant when travelling in residential areas or school zones may prevent pedestrian accidents involv-ing children. Special consid-eration may be required when seniors or pedestrians who are physically chal-lenged attempt to cross the road because they might need more time. Further-more, the areas around streetcar stops are typically danger zones because pe-destrians may make unan-ticipated moves.

Taking extra care and re-specting each other may save lives and prevent many accidents, but there is

little chance of eliminating car accidents or auto-pedestrian accidents alto-gether. In the meantime, injured victims of any traffic accidents may pursue fi-nancial relief by filing per-sonal injury lawsuits in an Ontario civil court. This could be a challenging en-deavour, but the help of an experienced personal inju-ry lawyer can simplify the process. Once negligence is established, the court can determine liability and adjudicate documented claims for damages.

If you, a friend or a family member are victims of someone's negligence and suffering from injuries and losses, contact us to speak to one of our lawyers to know your rights and what steps you should be taking in order to protect your rights for the future.

Our firm has the necessary expertise to evaluate your claim and give you a realis-tic idea of what you can expect if you decide to make a claim for damages. Call us now for a 24/7 emergency hotline 416-625-2636 to speak to one of our experienced lawyers to know your rights and that you can make a right deci-sion.



One of the more surprising stock moves in 2020 has to be the 71% rally in Uber stock. With corporate travel largely evaporated, Uber’s ride-sharing business has suffered mightily in the downturn. There isn’t much need for rides to the office, the airport, or your favorite bar if you are working from home, traveling no place, and drowning your sorrows at the kitchen table.

But it was a fantastic year for Uber’s food delivery service, as consumers switched from dining out to ordering out. The Septem-ber quarter nicely illustrates how the story has played out. Overall revenue in the period was $3.1 billion, down 17% from a year ago, and mobility revenue—better known as ride shar-ing—was down 51%. But delivery revenue was $1.5 billion, up 124%, and the company’s still modest freight delivery business grew 32%, to $288 million.

Uber (UBER) also won a major political victory last year, when California vot-ers passed Proposition 22, a measure that exempts “gig economy” companies like Uber from a state law that otherwise would have forced Uber to classify its drivers as employees ra-ther than a contractors, a requirement that would have significantly increased operating costs.

On Monday, several ana-lysts weighed in with up-beat comments on the out-look for Uber for 2021. While the stock’s rally clearly reflects some antici-pation of the economy reo-pening once vaccines are more widely available, bulls see some room for further upside. One fascinating reason behind the bullish view is the lofty valuation levels investors have awarded DoorDash (DASH), the company’s chief rival in food delivery. In effect, the Street now has a new “comp” to play with, and they are using to turn more bullish on what they view as a compara-tively undervalued rival in Uber Eats.

Oppenheimer analyst Ja-son Helfstein on Monday reiterated his Outperform rating on Uber shares, while lifting his price target to $62 from (an already surpassed) $47. Helfstein’s

note, not coincidentally, arrives on the same day that he picked up cover-age of DoorDash with a more cautious Perform rating on valuation con-cerns. Helfstein takes the strong reception for Door-Dash as a sign that inves-tors are willing to pay up for food delivery stocks—and he thinks that Uber is a better bet. He notes that where DoorDash trades for about 11 times estimat-ed 2022 revenues, Uber trades for just 4 times his 2022 estimate.

“In our view, Uber is more attractive for investors playing the secular shift of food moving to delivery channels,” he writes, pointing to a lower valua-tion for Uber despite a comparable revenue growth profile. He also notes that Uber’s more diversified approach should keep investors “better engaged” as deliv-ery slows and mobility rebounds post Covid. And he notes that Uber is “better executing” than DoorDash in the grocery market. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank analyst Lloyd Walmsley repeated his Buy rating on Uber shares, upping his target to $80, from $54, and says it is among his best ideas for 2021. “We see mean-ingful upside potential to Uber shares in 2021 driv-en by our optimism around a strong second half rideshare recovery as vac-cinations spread, improv-ing profitability at the deliv-ery segment and more broadly, as well as a bet-ter sense for long-term margins in food delivery as evidenced by Door-Dash unit economics,” he writes. The analyst cut his near-term estimates on spiking Covid-19 cases but boosts his second-half outlook given high vaccine efficacy levels We mean-ingfully increase our long-term margins for the Deliv-ery business given more confidence post work around pure-play Door-Dash. “We increase our target multiples, particular-ly on the Delivery busi-ness, given multiple ex-pansion in the peer group and using DoorDash as a comp,” he adds. On a rough day for the broad market—the S&P 500 fell 1.5%—Uber rose 0.3% to $51.14.


A few months ago, Uber Eats delivery drivers start-ed showing up at Strange Brew, a coffee shop in an Indianapolis suburb, to pick up orders.

There was only one prob-lem: there were no orders to pick up, because Strange Brew said it didn’t partner with Uber Eats. So it hadn’t authorized the listing on the app and it didn’t have the orders ready for customers.

It’s causing a lot of head-aches, said cafe co-owner Toni Carr, especially since drivers always seem to appear during busy times at the shop.

“Since COVID, we’ve re-arranged our restaurant. We have this small area for pickup orders, and then they’re clogging up this pickup order area for about 10 minutes while my employees could be doing something else,” she told Yahoo Finance Live. “Our other customers that are waiting there trying to pick up their orders or place their orders are suffering for it.”

An Uber spokesperson said in an email statement to Yahoo Finance that "there was an error in pro-cessing the request of this specific merchant to de-list from Uber Eats, which has now been resolved. We've worked hard to make it simple and efficient for

merchants to opt-out, and are disappointed this stand-ard wasn't met here."

Uber Eats had a limited access program for busi-nesses that was designed to show businesses the value of partnering with its platform. But Carr said Ub-er Eats never contacted her company about the pro-gram before listing Strange Brew on its site. She told Yahoo Finance Wednesday night that her company’s listing was finally removed, but added that she still nev-er heard from Uber Eats after repeated attempts to speak to someone there.

Uber Eats is far from alone in its practice of putting up listings from restaurants with whom it has no busi-ness relationship. There have also been reports of most of the other large food delivery services, including Grubhub and DoorDash, doing the same.

Carr said it feels like a tac-tic to pressure her into sign-ing on with Uber Eats — which she has no intention of doing.

“Right off the top, they take a huge percentage, and when you’re in food service, there isn’t a big markup to begin with,” she said. “Also, we have our own, in-house delivery, and it’s over a smaller area, because when you’re dealing with coffee, you want it fresh and hot. So we do our own in-house delivery to make sure you can control the

quality of what’s going out.”

Uber Eats has been a bright spot in Uber’s (UBER) earnings this year. For the third quarter, deliv-ery revenue rose by 125% year-over-year, and the number of active partnered restaurants rose by more than 70%.

Courtesy

Yahoo!finance


The Australian arm of Uber has settled a case with former Uber Eats delivery rider Amita Gupta, avoiding a ruling in the federal court on the status of Uber’s workers. Photograph: Lynne Sladky/AP


Uber has settled a high-profile case with one of its food delivery riders, avoid-ing a landmark ruling on whether gig economy workers are employees or contractors, experts say.

The Australian arm of the multinational company set-tled with former Uber Eats delivery rider Amita Gupta before the full bench of the federal court could rule on whether she was an em-ployee or a contractor.

It would have been the first ruling in the federal court on the status of Uber’s workers.

The Transport Workers’ Union said it believed Uber had settled because the company was facing de-feat after a series of critical questions from judges in a court hearing earlier in No-vember.

Federal court judge Morde-cai Bromberg said in court that Uber Eats riders “appear to be the repre-sentative of the Uber Eats”, despite the compa-ny’s protests.

“Who would the public have perceived the worker as an emanation of, if not Uber?” he asked.

“It could be anybody,” the company’s barrister, Ian Neil, replied.

“There’s nothing that rep-resents her to be an ema-nation of Uber, apart from the fact that she would turn up with food in her hand at the end of a process that had begun with the cus-tomer ordering the food.

Bromberg asked: “Why would you assume, given the process … starts with Uber and ends with an Uber app, so far as the customer is concerned – why would you assume that the driver is an ema-nation of the restaurant rather than Uber ?”

He continued: “Everybody knows what function Uber plays.

The restaurant’s function is to prepare the food. Uber’s function is to deliver the food; isn’t that right?

“The very name Uber would convey to the ordi-nary person some form of transportation service; wouldn’t it?”

Neil replied: “We could not accept that.”

Labour law expert Prof Jo-ellen Riley Munton from the University of Technology Sydney, said it appeared that Uber had “decided not to take the risk” of a court ruling, and settled.

Earlier rulings in the Fair Work Commission had sid-ed with the tech giant, and ruled their workers were not employees. This case would have been the first ruling in the federal court.

“Uber has clearly taken the view that a federal court decision (of a full bench) finding that Ms Gupta was in fact an employee would be very disruptive of its business model,” Riley Munton said.

“The settlement means that there is still no federal court ruling on the question of whether workers like Ms Gupta are employees, so there is no precedent to disturb the Fair Work Com-mission findings in the Gup-ta case, or in earlier cases.”

The Transport Workers’ Union national secretary, Michael Kaine, said he was confident Uber would have lost.

“It is clear from the court hearing that Uber was on the ropes,” he said.

“A settlement … was the only option left to the com-pany in the face of a poten-tial judgment.”

However, Riley Munton said the critical comments in the hearing did not nec-essarily indicate how a court would have ruled.

She said the recent case of CFMMEU v Personnel Contracting Pty Lty, where a backpacker challenged whether he was an inde-pendent contractor, showed the limits of relying on com-ments.

“Justices Lee and Allsop were both very critical of the arrangement and said that it beggared belief that a person doing such menial work was an ‘independent contractor’, but they still decided that he was one, because they felt con-strained by an earlier deci-sion dealing with the same labour hire outfit’s con-tracts,” she said.

“So critical comments don’t always lead to a decision. Still, the law is still unre-solved in a case like Gupta’s.

They wouldn’t necessarily have any precedent that they had to follow in that

case. An application of the high court authority in Hollis v Vabu Pty Ltd may well have found that she was an employee.”

Riley Munton said the un-ion was correct in saying the case, if it had not been settled, could have re-shaped the entire gig econ-omy.

“As is always the case with legal decisions, they are decided on their own facts and can be precedent only where the same or very similar facts prevail,” she said.

“Because Uber Eats uses the same contract for all its staff, it would very likely mean that all its drivers on that contract were employ-ees and that would have significant ramifications for their business.

“It would also pave the way for the other platforms to be challenged, if the terms of their contracts and their working arrangements are the same.”

A spokesman for Uber said they “welcome the resolu-tion of this case”.

“Uber Eats has previously won this case in two hear-ings before the Fair Work Commission, a specialist employment tribunal, in-cluding before the full bench which comprised the three most senior members of the Fair Work Commis-sion, including the presi-dent.”

Kaine said athough the un-ion supported Gupta’s out-come, the key to reforming the gig economy was regu-lation from the government, not legal cases.

“It should not take brave workers like Amita standing up to a global multinational

corporations to hold them to account,” he said.

“Workers across Australia should have rights and the federal government must take responsibility for workers …

We urge the government to carefully read the tran-script of the hearing and to start looking at Uber with the same jaundiced view that the federal court judg-es in this case did.”

Riley Munton said the case could lead to more Uber workers taking the matter to court and winning a set-tlement.

“I think one of the most interesting outcomes of this case is that other Uber workers with a grievance might feel empowered to push harder for a settle-ment themselves,” she said.

“In seeking to avoid litiga-tion that is getting uncom-fortable, Uber might need to treat the claims of work-ers more seriously in fu-ture – to avoid matters proceeding to court.

“There could be a de facto improvement in workers’ treatment – at least when it comes to challenging be-ing sacked from the plat-form.”

Gupta had taken the com-pany to court over an un-fair dismissal claim, after she was cut off from the delivery app for late deliv-eries.

Two previous rulings in the Fair Work Commission sided with Uber, and she then appealed to the feder-al court before the settle-ment.

A Toronto man faces sever-al charges including rob-bery and firearms offences in connection with an inci-dent involving a cab driver in Niagara Falls.

According to Niagara Re-gional Police, a taxi driver was in the area of Main Street and Ferry Street on Dec. 23 when he got into a verbal dispute with a cus-tomer over a fare.

The argument escalated and the man in the back seat threatened the driver with violence, police said, while gesturing that he had a firearm.

The driver fled from his ve-hicle and the suspect grabbed money from the cab before running off.

Charged with several charges including robbery and possession of a prohib-ited or restricted weapon is Gibson Thuo, 24.

Niagara Falls Reviews

Taxi Voice Canada , Janauary 2021 . Ph: 647 865 7854 Email: [email protected] Page 14

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A cab driver in Victoria took an intoxicated passenger to the police because he alleg-edly refused to wear a mask and was touching the driv-er’s face. In a release, Vic-toria Police said that just after 1 am on January 1, a taxi driver called 911 be-cause a passenger in their cab was allegedly refusing to wear a mask.

He was also touching the driver’s face, and “belligerently” refusing re-quests to follow COVID-19 orders.

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On January 6, the Province requested Toronto Public Health and other regional health units to support the vaccination of all residents, health care workers and essential caregivers in long-term care homes in their respective jurisdiction by January 21. The City and the Immunization Task Force are committed to en-suring the most vulnerable residents of the city are vaccinated in the safest and most efficient means possi-ble, working with the Prov-ince and hospital partners to achieve this goal.

The Government of Canada is responsible for obtaining the supply of COVID-19 vaccines; the Province has responsibility for distributing the vaccines and adminis-tering them to priority groups established under the Province’s framework; and Toronto is responsible for supporting the admin-istration of the vaccine in accordance with provincial prioritization and scheduling frameworks as vaccines are provided by the Province.

Please review the City’s simple “Dos” and “Don’ts” guide for recommended and mandatory public health measures. The guide communicates what is, and what is not, permitted under the provincial Lockdown Regulation that remains in effect to help stop the spread of COVID-19: toron-to.ca/lockdownguide.

first come first served...19 vaccination. in a letter to the editors of various news-papers, a...

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