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PRESENTATION CONCERNING THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY BY-LAW REVIEW
D. McAlpine, City Clerk/Director of Legislative and Court Services provided the Finance and Corporate Services Committee with an overview concerning the review of the Transportation Industry By-law. Ms. McAlpine advised that a staff report with recommendations will be presented to General Committee at a future meeting.
T. Banting, Manager of Enforcement Services provided a presentation concerning the Transportation Industry By-law review.
Ms. Banting discussed slides concerning the following topics:
• A chart highlighting the current Transportation Industry By-law provisions associated with the Taxi Industry;
• The regulations in the current by-law being inadequate to deal with Ride Sharing / Driver for Hire;
• The composition of the Taxi Industry Working Group;
• Information about Uber (Riding Sharing) and Driver for Hire;
• The review of other jurisdictions’ approaches and regulating transportation industry;
• An overview of the proposed recommendations associated with Ride Sharing / Driver for Hire and Taxi operations;
• Considerations associated with the proposed changes to the Transportation Industry By-law;
• The need for the City to address the core values associated with why it regulates the Transportation Industry; and
• Public safety as the main focus.
In closing, Ms. McAlpine noted that the Transportation Industry is rapidly changing and any changes to the Transportation Industry By-law would be reviewed no later than two years after passage of a revised by-law. She requested feedback from the Committee with respect to the proposed changes to the approach to regulating the Transportation Industry.
Two individuals (A. Bacque and F. Abbas) addressed the Committee concerning the proposed changes to the City of Barrie Transportation Industry By-law and provided comments and concerns related to the following:
• That a review of the by-law is long overdue;
• The new technologies being utilized by Uber (Ride Sharing) and Driver for Hire operations;
• The need for a regulatory environment for cars for hire, the companies and owner / operators;
• The impacts associated with the Ride Sharing / Driver for Hire operations on legacy taxi companies;
• Legacy taxi companies having unfair disadvantage resulting in higher operating costs;
• Other jurisdictions have lowered fees and reduced regulations;
• Concerns associated with the deregulation causing price surges, too many taxi cabs on the streets and not enough enforcement;
• Business is being taken away from the current taxi services;
• A recommendation that the City discuss the issues with the community and the taxi services; and
• A suggestion for fewer inspections and reduced licensing fees.
Members of the Committee asked a number of questions and received responses from City staff and Mr. Bacque and Mr. Abbas.