It hasn’t been an easy time for taxis and limousines.
With the rise in ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft, it’s been harder and harder for traditional ‘vehicles for hire’ to sustain business. That’s why Town Council has approved a new by-law that seeks to level the playing field.
The new by-law repeals the Town’s existing Taxi and Limousine Licensing By-law 094-2004, replacing it with a by-law that better reflects the current and evolving business environment of app-enabled ride-sharing.
In addition to licensing vehicles operated by modern transportation network companies (TNCs), the new by-law intends to create internal efficiencies, develop consistent requirements for all vehicles for hire, and reduce the administrative burden for the taxicab and vehicle-for-hire industry.
“As a Town, we take seriously our role in licensing that supports the health, safety, and well-being of residents in the municipality,” says Milton Mayor Gord Krantz. “Updating this licensing by-law will help Milton keep up with the times, and support fairness across the transportation sector.”
To prepare for the update, Town staff reviewed the previous by-law, researched practices in other municipalities, and consulted with the public, the Milton Accessibility Advisory Committee and the taxi industry. This feedback is reflected in the new by-law.
“We thank the taxi industry, the Milton Accessibility Advisory Committee and the public for the feedback that helped update this by-law,” says Meaghen Reid, Director, Legislative & Legal Services/Town Clerk, Town of Milton. “We believe that the Vehicles for Hire By-law will create a fair and consistent environment for all transportation operators.”
Safety provisions of the previous by-law – such as the requirement for vehicle safety certificates and insurance – remain unchanged and will now apply to all vehicles for hire under the new by-law (including taxicabs, limousines and TNCs).
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