Taxi rates in La Ronge also went up in 2022. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

transportation

Taxi rates rise in La Ronge, ridesharing programs now regulated

Sep 13, 2023 | 5:49 PM

Residents of the tri-communities will be paying more if they need a cab.

The increase in fares comes after La Ronge council adopted a new Taxi, Limousine, and Vehicles for Hire Bylaw at a regular meeting on Tuesday. The bylaw underwent three readings on the same night.

In August, council received a request from Family Taxi to increase rates from a $3.90 flag fee and $.10 for every 40 meters to a $4.20 flag fee and $.10 per 31 meters. The adoption of the bylaw effectively raises the maximum allowed charged to that amount.

Family Taxi had previously requested an increase in 2022, which was also granted by town council. Both Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band do not regulate such rates.

Regulations allowing ridesharing took effect in Saskatchewan in December 2018, meaning rideshare companies and drivers can start operating in the province, provided they have municipal authorization and meet provincial and municipal requirements. The previous bylaw regulating taxis in La Ronge didn’t include such services.

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“When we were redrafting, one of the things we noted was, obviously, vehicles for hire/rideshare programs … we don’t have them right now, but we noted it when we were doing our research and we included one option where the bylaw includes it and one bylaw where it’s silent to it,” La Ronge chief administrative officer Lyle Hannan said.

“So, depending on which way council wishes to go, they can pass either bylaw version.”

The bylaw states such programs, like taxis, cannot operate in La Ronge without having first procured a license to do so. The annual fee for a license is $75 with a $50 fee per vehicle for any other subsequent licenses.

Limousines and transportation network companies are permitted to set their own fees for service.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com