UberX driver allegedly threatened on video by taxi drivers outside Royal York

An UberX driver was quick to post video online after he alleged he was harassed and threatened by at least two taxi drivers outside the Royal York Hotel.

In the video, posted to YouTube by user Stephen Mercer, the UberX driver was picking up a fare outside the landmark hotel on Wednesday night when two cab drivers approached his vehicle and told him to “go away.”

The incident was recorded on dash-cam.

In the video, the cab drivers can be heard asking to see the UberX driver’s license and then block his vehicle from leaving the area with the passenger.

“You don’t leave. Stay here,” one of the cab drivers is heard saying before demanding the man hand over his GPS.

When the UberX driver threatens to call the police the cab drivers appear to goading him on.

“That’s what I want you do to. Call the cops, please. That’s what we want. The sooner the better,” one says.

Another driver then threatened to damage the UberX driver’s car.

“If we want we’ll damage your car. You will not be able to do anything,” the man is heard saying.

“We want your company to take us to court,” the other cab driver replies after the UberX driver tells him the incident is being recorded.

According to the video, after he called the police the taxi drivers left and he was told to leave the area by the hotel attendant.

It’s not known what company the alleged cab drivers work for.

The battle between Uber drivers and licensed cab drivers has been going on since the ride-share program first launched in the city.

The taxi industry argues that UberX is unregulated and its drivers don’t have commercial licences, putting passenger safety in jeopardy while simultaneously driving traditional cabbies out of business.

The company has also been at war with city hall over the legality of its service.

Last month, city council voted unanimously to have police and bylaw officers start enforcing current rules prohibiting unlicensed taxi and limo drivers. Though there was no word on when this crackdown would officially begin, it appears some drivers are feeling the pinch.

So far Toronto has handed out 198 tickets to 99 drivers – an average of two tickets each – as of last Friday. That’s a huge increase from July 16, when 36 drivers were facing 72 charges.

Mayor John Tory has said that UberX was “operating outside of the current law and that is not sustainable.”

UberX connects private drivers, who use their own vehicles, with passengers.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today