提议中的修改将使预订黑色城车更便宜和更容易，并可能为Uber的豪华长车服务Uber Black进入市场铺路。

Unconventional Panel gets in Uber debate over ride-hailing service

'It's kind of like tinder for transportation,' says Ravin Moorthy

By The Calgary Eyeopener

Calgary city council will vote about changing the rules surrounding limousine fees on Monday. 

The proposed changes would make it cheaper and easier to book a black town car, and could pave the way for Uber's limo service, Uber Black, to enter the market.

Uber Black a step closer in Calgary as committee endorses limo plan

​It's also rekindling the debate over whether the unregulated ride-hailing service even has a place in Calgary.

"I'm not really comfortable with the idea. I kind of think it's just like a millimetre or two away from hitchhiking and my mom always told me not to hitchhike," said Calgary Herald columnist Jennifer Alford — one of this week's Unconventional Panelist.

Unconventional panel

This week's Unconventional Panel: Mike Morrison, the man behind Mike's Bloggity Blog, Calgary Herald columnist Jennifer Alford and Calgary engineer Ravin Moorthy. (CBC/Linkedin)

​Uber drivers will pick up anyone who has submitted a trip request through the Uber app on their smartphone. Users hire and pay for their ride through the app, and not with the driver personally.

"There's no money exchanged and that, to me, is just such an added benefit. So I'm not debating with a cab driver about whether I can use credit or debit," said Mike Morrison.

Listen to the Calgary Eyeopener's Unconventional Panel's Uber debate:​

Alford thinks Uber will come to Calgary eventually and when it does, the market will determine if it's going ot work.

"My understanding of the Uber model is if it's a really, crappy, rainy horrible day — the prices are all going to go up," she said.

But Morrison still thinks that's better than the ladder.

"At least I'm in a vehicle instead of standing in a line outside of a hotel in the pouring rain waiting for a cab."