As the government and environment advocates encourage drivers to carpool an online ride-sharing company is facing allegations the service it offers is illegal.
Users can visit the
PickupPal website to find drivers who can offer rides. Some car owners may offer a lift for free while others can negotiate payments and because of that bus company Trentway Wagner filed a complaint against the carpooling company claiming it's violating sections of the
Ontario Public Vehicles Act.
"It takes away from my client's service because it takes passengers that would otherwise use my client," Robert Warren, the lawyer representing Trentway Wagner, explained. "The other threat is really to public safety. There's simply no assurance that the people who are providing the service under PickupPal are properly licensed and insured and that their vehicles are safe."
Under the law, companies that provide public transportation for a fee must abide by regulations outlined in the legislation, including safety and wage rules.
PickupPal CEO John Stewart admits his company is in violation of some of these regulations, but said officials need to weigh the benefits of enforcing "antiquated" laws or allowing companies with environmental objectives to operate.
"The much larger issue is, we think, it's handcuffing everyday Ontarians that want to be eco-friendly, they want to reduce greenhouse gases, and frankly want to save some money by carpooling and getting to places easier than they currently do," Brent Drewry of PickupPal said Thursday.
Stewart has reportedly sent a letter to the Highway Transportation Board asking for the case to be dismissed.
Approximately 15,000 people are registered with PickupPal, which facilitates about 100 rides per day.
The carpooling company is scheduled to appear before the board on Oct. 15.