New bylaw for all of Toronto’s ‘vehicles for hire’ now in effect

City of Toronto amendments to the Vehicle-for-Hire bylaw  will come into effect on January 1, 2020. The amendments are an important step forward to ensure greater safety for customers, pedestrians and drivers as well as stricter rules for owners and operators, ensuring a higher level of professionalism within the industry.

Key changes include the creation of an Accessibility Fund Program, additional data requirements, mandatory training for all drivers, and an increase in the years of driving experience for all drivers from one to three years. There are a number of other changes that will improve the licensing, safety and enforcement of the industry.

Here are the new rules handed down by the City of Toronto:

Public Safety and Consumer Protection

• The current minimum years of required driving experience for all drivers will be increased from one year to three years.
• All drivers will need to successfully complete a City-approved training program as a requirement of licence issuance or renewal.
• Drivers will be required to attach “Watch for Bike” notices to vehicles. Private Transportation Companies (PTC) will need to attach these notices and send push notifications reminding passengers to look for cyclists before exiting a vehicle.
• Drivers will need to securely mount all handheld devices to their vehicle.
• Drivers will need to display notices in their vehicles if a camera is being used to record passengers. In addition to these notices, PTCs also have the option to use their app to inform passenger before they complete their request for a ride.
• All drivers will need to carry government-issued identification.

Accessibility Fund Program

• An Accessibility Fund Program will be created to support the availability of accessible service and to offset the higher cost of providing wheelchair accessible service.
• The program will be funded by a regulatory charge on members of the industry. Toronto Taxicab Licensees (TTLs) and standard taxicab owners who have an accessible vehicle are exempt from these fees.
• Vehicle-for-hire owners and drivers will be charged the following regulatory charges when they apply or renew their licences:
  • Taxicab Brokerage: $250.64 (per application or renewal)
  • Limousine Service Company: $250.64 (per application or renewal)
  • Limousine Owner: $125.32 (per application or renewal)
  • Private Transportation Company: $0.10 (per trip)
  • Private Transportation Company Driver: $7.23 (per application or renewal)
  • Taxicab Operator: $125.32 (per application or renewal)
  • Non-accessible Standard Taxicab: $125.32 (per application or renewal)
  • Vehicle-for-Hire Driver: $62.66 (per application or renewal)
• Funds will be disbursed to wheelchair accessible taxicab owners and drivers based on service standards and eligibility criteria. Drivers will also be required to have valid accessible service training.
• Drivers and owners under contract with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Wheel-Trans program will not be eligible.
• Accessible owners and drivers may apply to the program from January 1 – 31, 2020 for service offered in 2019. The funds will be disbursed after March 1, 2020.

Driver Training

• Drivers of taxicabs, limousines and private transportation company (PTC) vehicles will need to successfully complete a third-party training program approved by the City, as a requirement of licence issuance or renewal.
• The new training requirement aims to improve driver awareness and enhance public safety.
• Preliminary topics will include transporting passengers in a safe manner; driving in an urban setting; providing accessible service; anti-racism, diversity and sensitivity; and legal requirements.
• New drivers will be required to provide proof of this training from June 1, 2020 onward. Drivers currently licensed will be required to provide evidence of training in a City- approved third-party program by the end of 2020.
• The successful completion of a City-approved training program will be transferable across all non-accessible driver licence categories

Vehicle Requirements

• Private Transportation Company (PTC) vehicles will not be allowed to use the same color scheme that is already in use by a licensed taxicab brokerage.
• Taxicab vehicles do not need to be low-emission, alternative fuel or hybrid.

Data

• Additional data on trip records and collision reporting will be required from vehicle-for-hire and private transportation companies (PTC).
• Data will be used for audit and compliance, accessibility, transportation planning and environmental initiatives relevant to the industry.
• Taxicab brokerages and PTCs will need to submit data to the City dating back to January 1, 2020.

Licensing

Taxicab agents will need to get an operator’s licence.

For more information please visit: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/long-term-vision-plans-and-strategies/vehicle-for-hire/vehicle-for-hire-bylaw/vehicle-for-hire-bylaw-updates/

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