New regulations laid out for taxis, limousines
Cab and limousine companies in the city could soon find themselves the subject of new regulations if the city goes ahead with new vehicle-for-hire bylaws governing each industry.
Cab and limousine companies in the city could soon find themselves the subject of new regulations if the city goes ahead with new vehicle-for-hire bylaws governing each industry.
Both are covered under the current vehicle-for-hire bylaw.
At Monday night’s city council meeting, however, bylaw manager John Taylor brought forward two new bylaws – a separate one each for limos and cabs – and recommended council instruct staff to put it out for public consultation.
“The taxi industry, through input provided to the city, indicates that the current bylaw needs to be reviewed,” notes the administrative report brought forward to council.
The cut-off for residents to get their opinions into the city would be March 15, Taylor said after going over the proposed new regulations.
That would give city staff time to come up with any changes needed before taking it to council.
One of the biggest changes to the regulations would be that drivers would not be allowed to have a cell phone while they’re in the car or limo.
“We have added a new section dealing with cell phones after receiving a number of concerns from passengers that were riding in vehicles for hire and witnessing the driver trying to drive and answer the cell phone,” it was noted in the report.
“We now have a provision in the proposed bylaws which states that you cannot possess a cell phone while driving a vehicle-for-hire. This will eliminate any issues about using a cell phone if they are stopped and found to be in possession.”
Coun. Dave Stockdale suggested the move might be viewed as extreme. Taylor noted it would be impossible to monitor otherwise.
The bylaw manager also said every driver would have a radio in their vehicle to keep in touch with dispatch, as a radio and base station would be required under the bylaw.
Territorial MLAs are studying the possibility of Yukon-wide legislation banning drivers of private vehicles from using cell phones behind the wheel as well.
Other proposed changes to the vehicle-for-hire laws would see:
• New provisions issued to drivers getting a temporary vehicle-for-hire permit while they wait for their criminal record fingerprint check (which can take months). It requires the driver to be at least 18, read and write in English and have a working knowledge of the city and surrounding area.
“These provisions are put in place after receiving a number of inquiries and complaints from the tourism industry that visitors coming into Whitehorse when asking for information were not forthcoming,” the document reads.
“We realize that the persons driving these vehicles are ambassadors, and sometimes they are the first individuals that our visitors are meeting, and we want to make sure we make a good impression.”
• A letter required indicating which company the driver would be working for;
• Drivers’ abstracts that are required not be more than 30 days old;
• Proof required of valid and current liability insurance of $3 million for cabs and $5 million for limos;
• Proof required of a business phone number to assist and confirm the location of the company and where records are kept.
“Throughout the bylaw there are provisions where the designated officer needs to know where the records are kept in the event we are required to obtain a search warrant to seize these records,” notes the report;
• A limit of 50 vehicle-for-hire permits issued by the city, with cab and limo companies permitted a maximum of 10 licences. The request came from industry, Taylor explained;
• New mechanical standards in place that would include out-of-service orders issued and fines levied for any vehicle for hire found to be not mechanically fit; limiting to five years a cab can be on the road unless it is deemed in exceptional condition.
“A major factor would be the opinion and completion of the mechanical fitness report,” the report reads.
“It is felt that buses, charter vehicles and limousines do not warrant the same treatment as taxicabs, but will be closely monitored doing the annual mechanical fitness examination to determine if they should be allowed on the road or not”; and
• Fares would be increased on Feb. 1 of each year based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index over the previous year.
City council will vote next week on whether to put the proposal out for a formal consultation period.
Kailey Irwin
Feb 18, 2010 at 2:35 pm
I think that not allowing taxis and limos to have a cell phone is a bit extreme, what about blue-tooth handsfree sets?