Local cab companies may be able to share the cost of providing accessible taxi service if the proposed vehicle for hire bylaw is passed as it was proposed to city council Monday night.

Bylaw manager Dave Pruden presented the proposed bylaw to council.

He clarified that taxi companies could share an accessible vehicle to meet the suggested May 1, 2017, requirement, allowing time for cab companies to come fit out or purchase accessible vehicles.

The clarification comes after concerns were raised over the cost of providing the service and fitting out vehicles so they meet accessibility standards.

As Pruden stated in his report to council: “The bylaw has been worded that each company shall have a minimum of one accessible vehicle for hire available for hire during all hours of operation.

“There is no requirement for more than one accessible vehicle for hire. Should companies wish to work together, there would be nothing stopping them from having a shared accessible vehicle for hire, which would still meet the requirements of the bylaw.”

Pruden also cited a recent coroner’s report that found Ronald Itsi, a quadriplegic man who died of a urinary tract infection in December was unable to get an accessible taxi that he needed to take him home to Copper Ridge Place.

The coroner’s report, featured in a Star story published June 12, stated it’s unknown whether Itsi would have survived the infection.

It was also noted Copper Ridge Place has highly qualified nursing staff who have experience dealing with such infections.

If they had recognized Itsi’s symptoms, they likely would have contacted a physician to have the man treated with an antibiotic.

The city’s Persons With Disabilities Committee has been calling for the service for disabled Yukoners for some time.

The city’s Handy Bus – which offers accessible transit – was not operating at the time Itsi needed a ride.

At Monday’s city council meeting, members questioned staff on the upcoming agreement with the Yukon government for the Handy Bus.

While the city operates the vehicle, the government funds it.

Linda Rapp, the city’s director of community and recreation services, said the city and territory are continuing to work on an updated agreement for the service.

While the cost of fitting out vehicles for the service is one financial concern for cab companies, Star photographer Vince Federoff also spoke about the operational costs on the system.

As he recalled of his days in the 1980s driving a cab in Vancouver, many drivers did not want to spend the extra time it takes to help passenger in and out of accessible cabs.

“It’s a money issue,” he said.

He suggested the city consider looking at some sort of financial incentive for drivers or companies on those fares for the additional time involved.

Any such additional charge should not be paid for by passengers who may not be able to afford it, he added.

Under questioning from council, Rapp said she wasn’t aware of any discussions with government on covering such a premium, but would get back to council with an update on that.

Other changes proposed would ensure vehicle for hire permits or renewals were not issued to anyone who’s been convicted of two or more Criminal Code offences over the past decade or anyone who’s received a 24-hour roadside suspension within the last 12 months.

A vehicle for hire registration would be required; operators would have to display if a cab is not for hire at any given time; and the bylaw department would have the ability to order a cab removed from service if there is deemed to be a safety issue.

There are also provisions for a bylaw officer to seize or impound a vehicle if the owner or driver refuses to provide identification, permit, registration or other such documents or where there is a breach of the bylaw.

Along with the accessible taxi requirement of May 1, 2017, that would also be the deadline for vehicles for hire to provide an option for electronic payment and a system that provides services for those with impaired hearing to book a cab “either through a web-based system, email, or via text messaging or similar format.”

Finally, May 1, 2018, would mark the deadline for all vehicles for hire to have a public safety camera approved by the bylaw department and mounted on the vehicle’s windshield.

Council will vote next week on whether to move ahead with the bylaw.