Ottawa taxi drivers order Uber rides for evidence against drivers

A group of Ottawa taxi drivers are filmingUberdrivers in their vehicles, trying to get enough evidence against them to help city bylaw officers issue tickets against them, and they say they'll continue.

"For [thebylaw department]they need enough evidence to go after them and give them their proper tickets," said RoyNoja, a taxi driver for aBluelinecompany who told CBC News Wednesday thathe came up with the idea.

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"What we did is to help the City of Ottawa and the bylaw [department], and to give them enough evidence as proof that what they're doing is illegal. And we're going to share every evidence that we have, to give it to them so they can go after them."

On Monday nightNojaand fourothers ordered three separateUberrides, filming each of the ridesonsmartphones.

In one of the videos, which was posted onYouTube, the three taxi drivers ask theUberdriver questions under the guise of wanting to becomeUberdrivers as well.

"We will continue doing that to prove to the city that we have evidence to go after them and give them tickets,"Nojasaid.

City doesn't recommend collecting evidence

The citysaid it doesn't recommend trying to collect evidence to assist their investigations for safety reasons.

"Rather, the city encourages citizens to report concerns or alleged bylaw infractions on Ottawa.ca or by calling 311," wrotePhilip Powell, the city's program manager of licensing, permits and markets, in an emailedstatement on Wednesday.

Since October 2014,110 taxibylawcharges against 54 differentUberdrivers have been laid. Of those,37 drivers pleaded guilty to 74 charges with fines totaling more than$22,000.

In anemailedstatement, anUberCanada spokesperson said "the right path forward is to developcommon sense" ride-sharing regulations.

"We believe that intimidation tactics such as these should give way instead to a constructive dialogue, focused on making available safer, more reliable and affordable transportation options toOttawans," spokespersonSusieHeath wrote.