Toronto taxi union calls on city for harsher penalties on short ride refusal

WATCH ABOVE: The iTaxiworkers Association is calling on the city to enforce stiffer penalties on cab drivers who refuse short fare rides. Erica Vella has the story.

TORONTO — The union representing Toronto cab drivers is calling for harsher penalties when it comes to short ride refusal.

Reports say shortly before Ariela Navarro-Fenoy’s death at Muzik nightclub, the 26-year-old was refused service from a cab driver because of a short ride.

READ MORE: Short fare taxi refusal blamed in death of Muzik nightclub shooting victim

Sajid Mughal, president of the iTaxiworkers Association says short ride refusal has been a long-time problem and gives the taxi industry a bad reputation.

“There are a number of cab drivers who refuse and refuse habitually,” said Mughal.

“We made this request to the City’s Executive Director, Tracey Cook prior to this incident happening. We want whoever refuses the fare based on if it’s a short fare, should be punished and penalized … there are very few cab drivers who refuse and they give a bad name to the entire industry.”

According to the City of Toronto website, cab drivers are allowed to refuse service only under certain conditions, in accordance with Chapter 545 of the Toronto Municipal Code.

“A taxi driver is not permitted to refuse a fare based on limited distance unless the area is in a remote place which the driver reasonably believes to be unsafe,” it read.

“A taxi driver may also refuse service if the potential passenger failed to pay once before or if they are unduly obnoxious or abusive.”

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Tracy Cook, executive director of Municipal Licensing and Standards says there are many penalties in place for cab drivers who refuse service.

“We have the ability to issues a ticket on the spot for $300. We have the opportunity to compel a person to the provincial courts where the Justice of the Peace can apply a fine up to $5,000. Where there are incidents of repeat offences, we have the opportunity to use the Toronto Licensing Tribunal and have the matter heard there in respect to the licensees permission to operate a business,” Cook said.

“The mechanisms are there to address it. We need people to call us and let us know there is an issue.”

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Since January of last year, Cook says there have been over 280 complaints on refusal of fares.

“We need to look at how the industry is responding as well and not simply a matter of enforcement,” Cook said.

“The industry needs to do their part and step up.”

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Cook urges people to call 311 if a cab driver refuses a short ride.

“I would encourage people to take whatever information they can. If possible, get the taxi cab number,” Cook said.

“Every complaint is investigated.”