Coun. Len Taylor at council's recent meeting. City lawmakers took part in a discussion on the new bylaw for taxis and vehicles for hire that received first reading. Second reading has been tabled. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff) 

By Angela Brown

In the chambers

Taxi bylaw parked as council awaits more information

Nov 27, 2019 | 11:58 AM

North Battleford lawmakers gave first reading to a modernized taxi bylaw at council’s meeting this week.

Mayor Ryan Bater says council wants more details about rates before making any final decisions pertaining to the city’s new Vehicles For Hire Act.

“Some more information was requested by members of council. Council voted to table second reading, so it can return to the debate on second reading at our next council meeting,” he said.

The new bylaw indicates the number of taxi cabs to be licensed within the city will be determined through council’s discretion, so there is no set limit. That is a change from the existing bylaw, as currently the city grants only a maximum of 16 taxi cab licences.

Mayor Ryan Bater says there has been a great deal of discussion so far on the new legislation that includes policy for ride-share.

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“Clearly, we’re modernizing that bylaw to reflect changes within the transportation industry, specifically the introduction of transportation network vehicles, colloquially termed as Uber or Lyft,” Bater said.

All vehicles for hire, whether they be taxis, limousines or ride-share vehicles require a business licence from the city.

The bylaw also indicates any vehicle for hire must not refuse a request for service from any potential passenger. It also states taxis and other transportation network vehicles cannot be home-based businesses.

The bylaw will return to council at its next meeting in December.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW