Taxi industry wants more cabs on road ‘to meet public demand’

A new organization representing taxi companies wants the flexibility to add more vehicles and drivers during peak times.

Shondra Boire, a spokeswoman for the Saskatchewan Taxi Cab Association, spoke to city council’s transportation committee Monday as city politicians considered a number of reports on the taxi industry.

The initiative comes as Saskatoon city hall continues to try to prepare for a landscape that allows ride-sharing programs and new technologies.

“Our industry is ready, willing and able to meet increased public demand, especially during peak times,” Boire told the committee. “We don’t have that opportunity to put more cars on the road.”

A press release from the association said the association has approached the city and the provincial government with a request to change regulations to allow the taxi industry to meet peak demand with part-time drivers.

Boire told reporters the association represents taxi companies in the Saskatoon region and has reached out to companies in Regina.

Coun. Cynthia Block said it’s “terrific” the taxi industry is trying to come up with solutions, but added she believes people want a mix of transportation options. She wondered whether a Saskatoon ridesharing service could be possible and asked city staff to look into it.

Block clarified she did not necessarily mean a service operated by the City of Saskatoon, just a solution that is geared toward the city.

Creative thinking will be necessary to deal with the introduction of ride-sharing services amid the heavily regulated taxi industry, Block added.

A city report says ride-sharing services Uber and TappCar have expressed interest in expanding into the Saskatoon market.

Saskatoon currently lacks regulations to cover ride-sharing services.

Mayor Charlie Clark said residents are interested in ride-sharing services and the taxi industry will have to change in a new transportation environment.

“It’s never been simple to work out issues in the taxi industry,” Clark said.

Clark convinced the committee to unanimously support the creation of a stakeholder group including taxi drivers and companies to discuss the future.

Coun. Randy Donauer said it’s not up to him to shield companies or industries from competition.

“I do believe my job is to make sure it’s fair,” Donauer said, who noted the taxi industry is heavily regulated by the city.

Donauer told reporters online business has already arrived in Saskatoon and the city has to prepare for it. He noted transportation network companies generally operate without the same level of regulation as the taxi industry.

The city consulted with taxi and limousine companies and drivers, who related that allowing transportation network companies would threaten taxi and limo drivers’ livelihood and they should have to follow the same rules as the taxi industry.

After some discussion, the committee also approved a so-called “vomit fee” of $100 to be charged of passengers if they soil a taxi. Coun. Ann Iwanchuk successfully pushed for one set amount rather than a range.

“I think drivers are going to get into negotiations with their passengers,” Iwanchuk said. City council still needs to approve the new fee.

Our industry is ready, willing and able to meet increased public demand, especially during peak times.