Enclosure I Taxi Cab Safety Bylaw Update Document: #5771205
HISTORY January 29 and March 8, 2008 Direction Request who licenses taxi cab companies in Sherwood Park should Strathcona County have a taxi commission February 12, 2012 Report to Council no policies or bylaws in place no bylaws to regulate business activities in the County Researching requirements for taxi regulation would require significant time and resources 2
HISTORY June 26, 2012 Council asked for feedback from Economic Development & Tourism Advisory Committee Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce Nov. 6, 2012 Council directed Administration to Prepare a Taxi Bylaw for the purpose of regulating taxi cab safety Return to Council by March 15, 2013 3
HISTORY February 7, 2013 Council referred the proposed bylaw to the Chief Commissioner for review and report back to Council by May 21, 2013 June 25, 2013 Bylaw 20-2013 given first reading, and Administration directed to: Conduct a public engagement process with the local taxi industry Prepare an implementation plan and proposed budget 4
TAXI CAB RESEARCH OVERVIEW Many Alberta municipalities regulate the taxi cab industries, however, there does not appear to be a standard approach. Most Alberta municipalities regulating taxi cabs have a business license bylaw. 5
REGULATIONS IN PLACE MAY INCLUDE: 1. Annual vehicle maintenance and inspections 2. A restriction on the number of taxi cab licenses available 3. Fare regulation 4. Meter inspections 5. Vehicle markings and colour regulations 6. Business licences for brokers, companies, owners and drivers 7. A Taxi Commission to oversee the taxi cab industry 8. A system of appeals to conduct hearings on regulatory decisions 9. Geographic limits 6
REGULATIONS IN PLACE FOR DRIVERS MAY INCLUDE: 1. Driver s abstract 2. Criminal records checks 3. Vulnerable sector records checks 4. Language proficiency 5. Knowledge of road network 6. Limits on hours of operation each day 14/04/2014 7
EDMONTON REGION Edmonton Robust taxi regulations limits number of licenses and Restricts/prohibits sale or transfer of taxi licenses Prevents unlicensed cabs from offering services within City limits St. Albert Cab companies need business license No provisions regulating taxi cab operations City of Leduc Taxi Cab Bylaw Public safety and visual changes to taxi cabs Fort Saskatchewan, Sturgeon County and Spruce Grove No taxi-specific regulations 8
OTHER ALBERTA MUNICIPALITIES Most regulate through their business license bylaw taxi cab license, broker license and chauffer license Some restrict the number of licenses (Edmonton, Calgary, Sylvan Lake) stringent provisions for the sale and/or transfer of licenses Taxi Cab Bylaws (Airdrie, Leduc) provisions to issue permits as well as vehicle and driver safety requirements Strathcona County 10 12 taxi cab companies with approximately 90 drivers 9
TAXI INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT County should regulate the industry: Taxi commission Limit the number of taxi plates available Fares should also be set by the municipality Cabs must be metered No flat rates (exception - trips to the airport) 10
TAXI INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT Bylaw covered safety for citizens but included nothing for driver safety Issues with Edmonton taxi regulations Prohibit dispatching from taxi cabs Prohibit bandit cabs All cabs should be company owned Colour-code taxis for each company Cabs should be equipped with trunk releases Top lights affixed to the taxi Vehicle and meter inspections 11
BYLAW OVERVIEW Bylaw 20-2013 does include: Definitions Application/renewal process for taxi driver s permits and for taxi vehicle permits Requirements for annual vehicle mechanical inspections Enforcements provisions revocation of permits, tags and tickets An appeal process 12
IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS Strathcona County does not currently regulate any commercial activity Land Use Bylaw deals only with zoning restrictions, development permits, home business regulations The taxi cab program is a new program and new resources are required to implement the program, including One time costs New staff peace officer (1 FTE) & admin (.5 FTE) Program start up Permits, ID cards, decals, equipment, etc. Advertising, public education Process development 13
RESPONSIBILITIES RCMP/Bylaw Enforcement Services responsible for bylaw administration and implementation 4 to 6 months to recruit and train staff 12 months for full implementation of the program including public awareness, industry education short grace period Legislative & Legal Services Revise mandate of Bylaw Enforcement Order Review Committee to include appeals arising out of the Taxi Cab Safety Bylaw. 14
ESTIMATED ANNUAL BUDGET Estimated Revenue Year 1 (includes 3 month Future Years grace period on ticketing) *Permits Drivers $10,000 $5,000 *Permits Taxis $36,000 $36,000 *Ticket Revenue $24,669 **$26,313 TOTAL ESTIMATED: $70,669 $67,313 Estimated Expense Year 1 Future Years Enforcement Officer $107,189 $107,189.5 Admin. Asst. $33,397 $33,397 Court Liaison Extra time $204 $204 Supplies $1,109 $1,109 Software Licensing $1,260 $1,260 TOTAL ESTIMATED: $143,159 $143,159 * Estimate actual revenue may vary ** Ticket revenue may decrease as greater compliance is achieved 15
ONE TIME COSTS Other One Time Costs Staff Costs $18,410 Equipment $ 4,873 Advertising $ 2,000 TOTAL ONE TIME COSTS: $25,283 16
BUDGET SUMMARY Year 1 Future Years Total Revenue $70,669 $67,313 Total Expenses ($143,159) ($143,159) Net Profit/Loss ($72,491) ($75,846) One Time Costs ($25,283) TOTAL ($97,773) ($75,846) 17
OPTIONS A. Give Bylaw 20-2013 second and third reading Provide an effective date to allows for implementation Monitor the effectiveness of the program for a period of time B. Refer Bylaw 20-2013 back to Administration for consideration of amendments as directed by Council 18
QUESTIONS 19