New bylaw enhances passenger and driver safety, encourages competitive rates, allows ridesharing and more!
At last night’s meeting, Council approved the new Vehicle for Hire Bylaw No. 22/006 and amendments to related provisions in the Fees Rates and Charges Bylaw No. 21/019. The changes take effect immediately.
The new bylaw will enhance passenger and driver safety, encourage competitive rates, allow more flexibility negotiating fares, and create additional options for consumers with ridesharing services now allowed.
Improvements to passenger and driver safety
Passenger and driver safety is a top priority for the Municipality and the new Vehicle for Hire Bylaw reflects this. The new bylaw also reinforces the importance of mutual respect between passengers and drivers, helping ensure a safe, enjoyable ride for all.
The new Vehicle for Hire Bylaw 22/006 includes the following key changes:
- A more rigorous criminal record check for drivers. Anyone with a serious criminal conviction in the past 10 years is not allowed to operate a vehicle for hire.
- Taxis and ridesharing services are required to have cameras in all vehicles.
- Designated Driver Services are permitted, allowing someone to drive a passenger and their vehicle home.
- A $500 fine for passengers who do not pay their fare, reducing the likelihood of non-payment and altercations between drivers and passengers.
- A $250 surcharge for cleaning up vomit, blood and other biohazardous material.
- The waiving of the $500 Vehicle for Hire License fee for accessible taxis, encouraging more inclusive transportation options.
These changes are in addition to the existing cleanliness and safety requirements that continue to be included in the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw. These requirements include a mandatory vehicle inspection every six months, with the exception of vehicles at Fort Chipewyan, which are required to get inspected every 12 months due to the remote location.
New rate limit and more flexibility negotiating fares
The updated Vehicle for Hire Bylaw supports a new fare structure by setting a maximum metered rate and allowing brokerages, such as taxi companies, to set their own competitive rate. The maximum metered rate is $5.00 for the first 52 meters and $0.15 for every additional 52 meters. Brokerages are required to notify Bylaw Services of their set metered rate. Bylaw Services will then perform meter accuracy checks and lock meters to prevent higher rates from being charged.
Prior to the trip, passengers can also negotiate flat fares with the driver instead of using the meter.
This model creates more flexibility for passengers, drivers and companies, while helping ensure a fair rate for everyone.
Under the previous Vehicle for Hire Bylaw, negotiating flat fares was not allowed and there was no flexibility with metered rates, with all companies required to charge the same rate.
More options for consumers with ridesharing services now allowed
The new Vehicle for Hire Bylaw includes the addition of Transportation Network Companies (TNC) or ridesharing services. Privately owned vehicles may operate as a rideshare if they are associated with a TNC and licensed by the Municipality.
All TNC services are regulated by both the Province and the Municipality. These companies must get a brokerage license from the Municipality to operate in the region.
What we heard! Vehicle for hire public engagement
The new Vehicle for Hire Bylaw is the result of extensive public engagement with community members and key stakeholders, including taxi, shuttle and limousine companies and drivers. The initial public engagement took place in 2019 and then a re-engagement campaign took place in 2022 to ensure the feedback collected and the new bylaw accurately reflect the current community needs and public sentiment.
The key themes and findings during public engagement include:
- Improve passenger and driver safety
- More enforcement and fine
- Additional options for consumers
- Enhance customer service
- Brokerages and drivers want more control over their rates and expressed a need for an increase for their business to remain viable
The results of the public engagement campaign are available in the Vehicle For Hire What We Heard Report.
For further information, questions or to bring something to the attention of the Municipality, contact Pulse at 780-743-700 or 1-800-973-9663
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