DocumentsStaff ReportNov 5, 2018Pages 37–38
Staff Report: Municipal Taxi Fleet Increases
Planning staff report advising Council of provincial Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) notices allowing taxi companies to increase fleet sizes by up to 15% under taxi modernization recommendations.
Key facts
- Provincial PTB modernization allows taxi fleet increases up to 15%
- Companies and resulting fleet sizes listed: Bluebird Cabs LTD 56 -> 64, Yellow Cab of Victoria 101 -> 116, Esquimalt Saanich Taxi LTD 12 -> 13, Peninsula Taxi LTD 4 -> 5
- No municipal action required; regulation is provincial
- Financial and legal implications: None for the City
Staff Report: Municipal Taxi Fleet Increases
2nd Floor · 877 Goldstream Avenue · Langford, BC Canada · V9B 2X8
T · 250-478-7882 F · 250-478-7864
Staff Report to Council
Date:
November 5, 2018
Department:
Planning
Subject:
Municipal Taxi Fleet Increases
Background:
The Provincial Government has adopted recommendations made by the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) for modernizing taxi regulation, one of which is a streamlined process for taxi companies to increase their fleet sizes by 15%. As a result of the fleet increase opportunity, the City of Langford has received various municipal notices sent by the PTB on behalf of companies wishing to increase their fleet size. As the PTB is at the centre of provincial taxi regulation, they are involved in determining the provincial standard or default regime that municipalities can rely on to regulate the operation of taxi companies. The exception to provincial regulation relies on the adoption of municipal bylaws and independent regulation. The City of Langford, does not have a bylaw regulating the taxi industry, and therefore defaults to the regulation set out by the Provincial Government.
Commentary:
Due to the proximity to Victoria, Langford and other municipalities share overlapping taxi companies which therefore makes individual municipal regulation difficult. An attempt in the late 1990’s was made to enter an agreement which would have seen a delegated authority oversee taxi regulation within the region. However, this was found too difficult to enact, and therefore taxi regulation has remained a provincially regulated industry in Langford.
July 19th, 2018 saw the Province adopt the recommendations made by Hara Associates on behalf of the PTB that were intended to aid the taxi industry in becoming more competitive, more efficient and more supportive of a growing population. These recommendations are also intended to create a competitive market given the possible introduction of Transportation Network Companies (TNC’s) like Uber and Lyft.
The PTB has sent out municipal notices to those hosting taxi companies that wish to increase their fleet sizes under the new taxi modernization regulation. The increases are as listed below.
Proposed Fleet Increases
| Company | Existing fleet size | Desired increase | Resulting fleet size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluebird Cabs LTD | 56 | 8 | 64 |
| Yellow Cab of Victoria | 101 | 15 | 116 |
| Esquimalt Saanich Taxi LTD | 12 | 1 | 13 |
| Peninsula Taxi LTD | 4 | 1 | 5 |
As the Province regulates the taxi industry within Langford, these municipal notices serve as such and do not require action by council.
Financial Implications:
No financial implications for the City of Langford, all expenses are with the owners of the respective companies.
Legal Implications:
No legal implications, regulation is at the provincial level.
Options:
- That council endorse the taxi fleet increase of 15%;
OR
- That council take no action, relying on the Province to act with the regions best interests in mind.
Respectfully submitted,
Submitted by:
Wolfgang Schoenefuhs, Planning and Land Development Technician
Concurrence:
Matthew Baldwin, MCIP, RPP Director of Planning
Concurrence:
Leah Stohmann, MCIP, RPP, Deputy Director of Planning
Concurrence:
Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance
Concurrence:
Braden Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services
Concurrence:
Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer
:ws