Private Car, Public Oversight: Municipal Regulation of Ride-hailing Platforms in Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe

Abstract

Municipalities in many regions of Canada have regulated vehicle-for-hire services. With the rise of ride-hailing platforms, such as Uber and Lyft, this responsibility to produce a reliable vehicle-for-hire service has largely been transferred to private platforms. Using a case study of the City of Toronto and surrounding Greater Golden Horseshoe, this article examines how local regulation of this critical urban mobility service has changed. Drawing upon an analysis of 27 interviews with municipal staff, councilors and industry experts, a review of written local media, and a review of government documents, the study finds that municipalities are withdrawing from direct control of the industry due to a lack of tools of oversight and a prioritization of private industry over public service. The study discusses ongoing challenges that may be addressed by greater oversight of the service. It concludes by highlighting examples of municipalities growing their capacity for oversight and provides recommendations for further growth.