Installing a city-run taxi board to regulate the cab industry and enforce dress codes, customer complaints and English language tests for drivers would be a costly and unnecessary mistake, the managers of the longest-running Saskatoon companies say.
“Pretty soon it’s going to be the city running taxis under the transit department. I’m taking it to the extreme but (under these recommendations), it’s not far off,” said Scott Suppes, president of United-Blueline Cabs.
The much-anticipated taxi report by Missouri-based consultant Ray Mundy on the oft-criticized cab industry was released to the public Monday and includes, among a number of recommendations, a new regulatory regime that would oversee the industry.
The city’s administration and the consultant are asking for feedback during the next three weeks before reporting to city council in October on changes to the industry resulting from the study.
Good business practices and competition — not increased government regulation — leads to a well-run industry, Suppes said. The cost of more bureaucracy will be passed along to the taxpayer and to the consumer via fare hikes, he said.
The 170-page study contains a number of recommendations, including installing security cameras, limiting cabs to six model years old, requiring a more stringent dress code for drivers, testing new drivers for English-language competency and detailed knowledge of Saskatoon’s street network, and opening up taxi stands that are currently monopolized by one company. The airport would remain with one company, but with more advertising indicating travellers can call competitors.
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A taxi commission would determine fares, handle unresolved complaints, ensure vehicles are inspected and collect data from industry to determine if more cab licences are needed.
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The regulation is “light” compared to many other cities, said Mundy, the study’s author. The difficult balance in Saskatoon is improving service in winter when companies are busy while ensuring drivers can make a living during the light summer months, he said.
“Regulation is simply a way to maintain and improve the level of service,” Mundy said. “It is a regulated industry and it’s regulated in the public interest. Whether these companies like it or not, they’re standing in the way of a regulated industry and they seem to want all the benefits of regulation and government protection but don’t want to be regulated, and that just isn’t going to fly.”
Dale Gallant, manager of Radio Cabs, said the only recommendation he’s in favour of is installing a method of determining when more taxi licences are needed. The major issue facing the industry is not being able to meet demand during peak times, he said.
The report recommends data on trip numbers be collected from industry and analyzed four times a year by the taxi board. Once the number of trips surpasses an average of 25 trips per shift, the board would decide whether to add more seasonal or permanent licences.
Regulating dress codes and the age of vehicles is taking the role of civic government too far, Gallant said. The consumer is ultimately who dictates standards, he said.
“If the consumer wanted all purple cars then the guys who didn’t paint their cars purple would go out of business,” he said. “We don’t need a consultant or city council telling us how to run every last detail of our business.
“It’s ludicrous.”
dhutton@sp.canwest.com
PHASED-IN REQUIREMENTS
Consultant Ray Mundy’s recommendations would be phased in over two years as follows. None of the recommendations are binding and they would need the approval of city council before coming into effect.
Immediate:
– Security cameras mandatory
– Add two more city staff
Six months:
– Establish a regulatory board
– Approve vehicle age and driver dress code requirements
– Screen new drivers for English competence and knowledge of roads
One year:
– Board is fully functional
Two years:
-Cabs are all within six model years
– New plates allocated by board
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