City mulls over details of draft proposal for new taxi, ride-share bylaw

Part of administration’s proposal is to look at the potential of opening up the system to allow the market to dictate the rates, vehicles and distribution of licences.

Director of Planning and Development Jennifer Niesink said this system is “very common in small cities in Saskatchewan and anticipated here in North Battleford.”

Administration also recommended taxis, limousines and transportation vehicles must be open to the public and would need to report any refused fare to the city. It recommended only taxis can be hailed from the street.

City administration held meetings with stakeholders including Crown Cab to gather feedback on the the proposed bylaw.

Crown Cab representative Brenda Longley appeared before council as a delegation, speaking about the company’s concerns with the proposed bylaw.

“If as proposed … the number of taxi licences are left to be determined and have no limit, we feel strongly this could create a situation that causes more problems than it solves,” Longley, also a longtime employee with Crown Cab, said.

Longley discussed some of the challenges the company faces in its work, adding it is busy for service during peak times in the day, month and year, similar to most businesses.

“Customers know to expect delays and lineups,” said said, while adding at other times and during the summer business can be quite slow, with drivers often working for only $6 or $7 per hour before tax.

Longley added if the city allowed another company to compete, it could hamper Crown’s business.

“We would ask before allowing unlimited licences you would allow a review of the bylaw in one year to see where the ride-share addition goes,” she said. “It will be coming we all know that. It could resolve the current issues without having to expand taxi licences.”

She was also concerned about companies setting their own rates, saying that rates need to be affordable.

“We know our customers,” Longley said.

City administration indicated in its draft bylaw all taxis and transportation network vehicles cannot be home-based businesses, and must have a commercial office for dispatching rides.

Council discussed a number of issues including what is the city’s liability if it supplies permits.

Mayor Bater raised the issue that taxis provide quality of life to residents and “make North Battleford liveable.”

Following the meeting Bater said after council spends more time discerning the details, the city will hold a community public consultation meeting before making any decisions.

“What has been tabled is the actual establishment of the bylaw,” he said. “I think council wants to consider what is being proposed first before we actually deliver first reading of a bylaw. When we do that though there will be public notices, public hearings. People can submit their points of view… So there is still a lot of work to do.”

—

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

City mulls over details of draft proposal for new taxi, ride-share bylaw

What's Trending