Two Montreal UberX drivers fined and have cars impounded

Two UberX drivers are offMontreal roads after having their vehicles impounded by city authorities in January.

The web-based ride service is under close investigation by the city's Taxi Bureau after months of criticism from politicians and taxi drivers.

• Montreal taxi drivers call for UberX crack-down

The two UberX drivers face $350 fines and require a judge's approval to have their cars returned to them.

"An UberX driver is not allowed to work in Montreal because he's doing illegal transportation, because they don't have a permit to offer transport in exchange for money," saidBenot Jugand, General Manager of the Montreal Taxi Bureau.

He saidto be legal, taxidrivers must complete 150 hours of training, pass an exam and pay $180,000 for a permit.

Seizures within transport laws

Quebec Transport Minister Robert Poti maintains that the vehicle seizures are well within the province's transport laws, and will continue.

"The law is there and they have to follow the law we are allowed to do that and we are going to do it. Yes, for UberX, I'm going to do it," he said.

Officials from UberXsayspecial legislation is needed to regulate their services.

• Uber Montreal requests to be regulated in Quebec

"Montreal should be spending their time and money sitting with us and finding solutions for a service that people really want and not spending citizens' taxes and police officers' time seizing vehicles on the platform," saidJean-Nicolas Guillemette, General Manager ofUberX Montreal.

Not a taxi service

The company insists it's not a taxi service,but a ride-sharing arrangement that costs a third less than regular taxis.

UberX was launched in Montreal last October, and Guillemette says so far the program has been successful.

"It's growing really fast. We have tens of thousands of Montrealers that are using it every week," he said

UberX says this cuts the numbers of cars on the roadand reduces drunk driving.

Guillemette says the company hasmade repeated requests to meet with Denis Coderre, but so far the mayorhasrefused.