By Liam Verster

Vehicle for Hire bylaw

City of Grande Prairie opens survey on establishing a Vehicle for Hire Bylaw

Nov 17, 2020 | 2:33 PM

The City of Grande Prairie has launched a survey on what to consider in the creation of a Vehicle For Hire Bylaw, and is seeking input from the public and industry representatives.

The survey, which can be found at the City’s public engagement website, is intended to gain feedback on the bylaw, specifically around significant issues that include public safety, consumer protection, accessible vehicle for hire services, fair competition and open innovation.

Shawn Hibbert, the Operational Support Supervisor for Enforcement Services in Grande Prairie says with the introduction of ride-share and transportation network services, such as Uber and Lyft, the City has found that the traditional taxi industry needs to modernize it’s operations in order to stay competitive.

“There’s new technology out there that [taxi companies] can be utilizing that we don’t have written into our current bylaw, so it kind of creates an inequity between the competition of those newer services, those transportation network services , and traditional taxi services,” says Hibbert.

Currently, Vehicle for Hire regulations are built into the Business Licensing Bylaw, which is now being reviewed and revised by City Council. Hibbert says this is an opportunity to separate the two, and create a stand-alone Vehicle for Hire bylaw.

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At this point of time, ride sharing services do currently operate in Grande Prairie. However, they are not regulated by the City like taxis are, and are instead under just provincial regulations. Hibbert says if they can create a bylaw that encompasses them all, they can put some more regulations in to bring them onto a level playing field and create a more competitive sector.

“To get them on the same level we’re looking at criminal record checks, vulnerable sector check if that’s necessary. Looking at licensing requirements, so what class of drivers license they need to have in order to operate. Issuing chauffeur permits, similar to how we do with our current chauffeurs who operate taxis and limousines and shuttle buses,” says Hibbert.

“So, just looking at leveling the playing field so that the City has a level of involvement with who can operate these services within the city, and that speaks to the public safety and consumer protection. If we have a hand in how these services are licensed, and how their operators are licensed, then we can as an organization better serve the public interest.”

Taxis in Grande Prairie require a broker license to operate, and since the transportation services aren’t defined in the current bylaw, if amended, they will require a broker license as well.

The proposed separation from the Business License Bylaw and subsequent creation of the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw was first discussed in September 2019, but was put on hold until City Council had a chance to reform the Business License Bylaw.

The public is encouraged to participate in the survey, which is open until December 1. The data will be collected and compiled into a report, which is expected to be presented to City Committee and Council in the late spring of 2021.