City releases sweeping review of Toronto’s taxicab industry

Watch the video above: Taxi industry reforms offer little for passengers. Jackson Proskow reports. 

TORONTO – City staff have released a long-awaited review of Toronto’s taxicab industry.

The report, over two years in the making, comes as a result of consultation with industry, staff and stakeholders and seeks to provide immediate changes that could benefit the industry.

The report will be reviewed by the city’s Licensing and Standards Committee before being debated by city council.

Here are a few of the recommendations:

• All new licenses issued by the city will “require a wheelchair accessible vehicle.”
• Accessible cabs will ensure service in the same amount of time as someone who doesn’t need an accessible car.
• Council endorse the goal that six per cent of the total fleet (approximately 290 cars) be wheelchair accessible.
• Council issue 290 new taxicab licenses for those accessible vehicles.
• Allow all approved alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles to be used for taxicabs.
• Allow cab drivers to issue a $25 “vomit fee.”
• Initiate a study to determine the impact of mandating shields.
• Allow drivers to demand payment up front to a maximum of $25
• Amend the “passenger bill of rights” to the “taxicab bill of rights” that would include both passengers and drivers.
• Current fare rates be maintained and be reviewed every two years.