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DEPUTATIONS REGARDING MOTION 17-G-057, REVIEW OF TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY (TAXI) BY-LAW 2006-265 AND REGULATING RIDE SHARING/DRIVER FOR HIRE OPERATIONS
Ms. Sandra McDiarmid provided a deputation in opposition to motion 17-G-057 concerning the Review of the Transportation Industry (Taxi) By-law 2006-265 and Regulating Ride Sharing/Driver for Hire Operations. Ms. McDiarmid advised that she owns five taxis and she discussed the impact increases in the City licensing fees over the years as well as the difficulties in recovering from the fee increases. Ms. McDiarmid discussed the challenges for someone to become a taxi cab driver since it is a transient job with a fee of approximately $500, and the length of time that it takes to start driving a cab. She proposed a licence fee of $160 in total. Ms. McDiarmid discussed the staff comments concerning that the licensing of the taxi drivers would be more work than ride sharing and noted that she felt that if the ride along was removed from the by-law that the work would be the same. She provided details of the industry prior to the moratorium being introduced and her concerns about the lifting of the moratorium as she felt that the market would be saturated resulting in less money for operators to maintain vehicles. Ms. McDiarmid remarked that she felt that the taxis should be regulated to some extent and they are not like other businesses. She commented that taxi owners need to make a living and keep the vehicles safe. Ms. McDiarmid asked Council to reconsider the moratorium allowing taxi cab companies to set their own rates as it would help to level the playing field.
Members of Council asked questions of Ms. McDiarmid and sought clarification from City staff and received responses.
Mr. Michael McNeill provided a deputation in opposition to motion 17-G-057 concerning the Review of the Transportation Industry (Taxi) By-law 2006-265 and Regulating Ride Sharing/Driver for Hire Operations. Mr. McNeill commented...
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