Hundreds of people packed city hall Thursday to have their say on a controversial review of the city’s taxi cab industry.
A city staff report released last week includes 40 recommendations on a range of issues including driver and passenger safety, greater passenger accessibility and the transfer of ownership of vehicles from the companies to the drivers.
Another recommendation would allow drivers to charge an upfront optional $25 “vomit” fee in case the passenger soils the vehicle.
The report also proposes that the city’s entire taxi fleet be wheelchair accessible by 2025 and the end to the current tiered license system in favour of a new owner-operator plate called the Toronto Taxicab License – which would only be issued to wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Speaking with CP24 Thursday, one industry expert said the proposed changes, if adopted, would benefit both drivers and customers alike.
“Study after study has proven that any cab driven by the plate owner is far better in service, far better in cleanliness,” iTaxiworkers Association president Sajid Mughal said. “So it’s a direct benefit to the customer.”
Others have argued that an owner-operator license model will mean the end to 24-hour service.
The review, which began in December 2011, is the culmination of more than 40 consultations, 100 meetings and three surveys.
City council will debate the report next month.
