Item - 2018.LS26.3
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Licensing and Standards Committee on June 14, 2018 and was adopted with amendments.
LS26.3 - Work Plan for the Review of Chapter 546, Vehicles-for-Hire
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Decision
The Licensing and Standards Committee:
1. Requested the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to give priority and expedite the review and development of the Accessibility Strategy and give particular consideration to the issues related to Toronto Taxicab Licences (TTL), including:
a. providing financial and other incentives to support the purchase and operation of TTL vehicles and increasing the number of on-demand metered accessible taxicabs;
b. providing the option to those currently holding TTL to revert to standard taxicab licences when their vehicles reach their maximum age; and
c. other measures to increase the availability and use of accessible, on-demand vehicles.
2. Requested the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to include the following in her future report on the review of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire:
a. consideration of all measures to increase public safety and the training requirements of Private Transportation Companies (PTC) and other vehicles-for-hire;
b. a new public reporting process to City Council and the public on the safety records and performance of PTC licence holders and companies;
c. a review of the limousine provisions, including the stretch-to-sedan ratio;
d. suggestions on how to assist fleet operators and standard taxicab owners as to the financial sustainability within the vehicles-for-hire industry; and
e. consultations with fleet operators and standard taxicab owners.
Origin
Summary
This report presents a work plan for the review of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire. A report on the results of the review is expected at the Licensing and Standards Committee in the second quarter of 2019. Consultations with stakeholders and the public are scheduled for the third and fourth quarter of 2018.
In May 2016, Toronto City Council adopted a series of recommendations to establish new regulations for the vehicles-for-hire industry. The new Vehicles-for-Hire By-law regulates taxicabs, limousines, and private transportation companies, like Uber and Lyft, to ensure public safety, consumer protection, and equitable access to accessible vehicles. Since May 2016, staff have focussed on implementing the new regulations. The implementation of the new By-law has been a large and complex undertaking that required significant business transformation, including creating digital solutions and reducing regulatory burden.
There have been a number of directions from Committees and City Council to review certain issues and regulations affecting the vehicles-for-hire industry. This review will involve comprehensive research and broad stakeholder and public engagement. In addition, the review will respond to outstanding directives from Committee and City Council and will include:
- An accessibility strategy and recommendations on how to proceed;
- Results of a Congestion Management Study and a Labour Market Impact Study; and
- Recommendations for addressing new and/or outstanding issues.
To achieve this, staff have developed a four-phase plan beginning in the summer of 2018. The plan includes:
- Phase One: Public Consultations and Launching Studies - Third and fourth quarters of 2018.
- Phase Two: Executing Studies and Internal Research - Fourth quarter of 2018 and first quarter of 2019.
- Phase Three: Final Analysis - First quarter of 2019.
- Phase Four: Report to Committee - Second quarter of 2019.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2018/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-115843.pdf
Communications
(June 14, 2018) Letter from Sajid Mughal, iTaxiworkers Association of Ontario (LS.New.LS26.3.2)
(June 14, 2018) Submission from Murtuza Gowher (LS.New.LS26.3.3)
(June 14, 2018) Submission from Imran Chowdhury, iTaxiworkers Association of Ontario (LS.New.LS26.3.4)
Speakers
Cheryl Hawkes
Iraj Izaddoustdar
Murtuza Gowher
Francis Washington
Mohammod Hashim
Muhammad Haider
Behrouz Khamseh
Joe Ironi, Ontario Limousine Owners Association
Imran Chowdhury, iTaxiworkers Association of Ontario
Kingsley Mensah
Javad K. Tabrizi
Emily J. Daigle
Javid Wali
Yohannes Mesgan
Councillor Janet Davis
Councillor Paula Fletcher
Motions
That the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, be requested to give priority and expedite the review and development of the Accessibility Strategy and give particular consideration to the issues related to Toronto Taxicab Licences (TTL), including:
a. providing financial and other incentives to support the purchase and operation of TTL vehicles and increasing the number of on-demand metered accessible taxicabs;
b. providing the option to those currently holding TTL to revert to standard taxicab licences when their vehicles reach their maximum age; and
c. other measures to increase the availability and use of accessible, on-demand vehicles.
That the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, include the following in her future report on the review of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire:
a. consideration of all measures to increase public safety and the training requirements of Private Transportation Companies (PTC) and other vehicles-for-hire; and
b. a new public reporting process to City Council and the public on the safety records and performance of PTC licence holders and companies.
That City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to discontinue and/or suspend the operations of Uber in the City of Toronto until her future report on the review of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire.
That the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, include the following in her future report on the review of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire:
a. a review of the limousine provisions, including the stretch-to-sedan ratio.
That the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, include the following in her future report on the review of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire:
a. suggestions on how to assist fleet operators and standard taxicab owners as to the financial sustainability within the vehicles-for-hire industry; and
b. consultations with fleet operators and standard taxicab owners.
Councillor Karygiannis, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that deputants should refrain from personally referencing City of Toronto staff in their remarks.
3a - Fairness for Toronto Taxicab Licence Holders
Origin
Summary
City Council, on May 22, 23, and 24, 2018, referred Motion MM41.13 to the Licensing and Standards Committee.
In 2014, the City approved the final report of the Taxicab Industry Review. The changes moved the taxicab industry further toward an owner-operated accessible taxi system by creating a new licence called a Toronto Taxicab Licence. Council adopted a policy that all new licences would be accessible, and approved issuing Toronto Taxicab Licence licences to achieve 6 percent accessible vehicles (290) in 2015 and service equivalency by 2019.
All Standard and Ambassador plate-owners were required to convert to Toronto Taxicab Licence licences over time, which was expected to take 30 to 40 years. Standard plates could be transferred and sold to another licensed driver; but not passed on to family upon death. There would be new provisions to license Fleet Operators and 'middlemen' or agents would be eliminated.
In 2016, City Council reversed its taxi reforms and approved a new Vehicles-for-Hire By-law. The new By-law introduced a new licence class called a Personal Transportation Company, and a Personal Vehicles-for-Hire Licence. The policy and By-law authorized an open market for Personal Transportation Companies and licences and allowed for price surging and other unregulated fares; allowed for the conversion of Ambassador plates, not Toronto Taxicab Licence plates, to Standard Plates; allowed all licences to again be sold and transferred to family members, and re-established corporate ownership, paid agents, garages, and other middlemen to be involved in the industry. It eliminated requirements for City training and inspections and promised a report back on requirements for in-car cameras. Council also called for several reports back on the roll-out and outcomes of the new system after one year.
The taxi plate owners who converted to the Toronto Taxicab Licence have experienced hardship and believe the complete reversal of the 2014 reforms were discriminatory and unfair. They have been trying to raise their issues with Municipal Licensing and Standards, and have brought forward their concerns to the Ombudsman.
We have met with Toronto Taxicab Licence drivers and have heard their concerns. They believe action is needed to increase fairness if Toronto Taxicab Licences are going to survive as a viable operation in the taxi business. Issues they want addressed are: ability to transfer Toronto Taxicab Licences to standard plates, waiving of annual licence fees which was not applied fairly; ability to replace vans with sedans, possibly on a rotational basis, at the end of seven years; assistance with the costs of purchasing and operating accessible vans; finding ways to communicate that Toronto Taxicab Licences are for everyone, not just for people with disabilities; inability to lease licences; accessible ridership and fares are very low, and most Toronto Taxicab Licence drivers are losing money or leaving the cars off the road; Toronto Transit Commission Wheel-Trans will not use the services of these vehicles; and Personal Transportation Companies do not appear to be meeting their requirements.
On May 3, 4, and 5, 2016, City Council approved the following:
98. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to report back to the appropriate standing committee in the third quarter of 2016 on a strategy to collect funds from all non-accessible vehicles-for-hire to provide incentives to increase the number of on-demand, metered accessible taxicabs available to the public as well as creating a working group composed of stakeholders (such as staff in the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office) and accessibility experts and advocates to, amongst other issues, develop a funding program and process that will advance inclusive on-demand ground transportation for all users and an Accessibility Strategy which includes access and service standards, car design, training, etc.
This report has not been done, and there is no indication if, and when, it will be. The outcome of the most recent taxicab changes have resulted in an unfair and unsustainable burden on Toronto Taxicab Licence owner-operated drivers. We are therefore requesting that Council support this report request.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2018/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-115650.pdf