SGI ready to work with municipalities on transportation networks

SGI would be “happy” to work with any Saskatchewan municipality on changes needed to accommodate transportation network companies, but the public insurance company would not confirm imminent legislation.

Tyler McMurchy, SGI’s manager of media relations, said in an email Monday the municipal landscape differs throughout the province in terms of regulations for the taxi industry.

Technically, smartphone-appbased transportation networks like Uber and Lyft, where drivers use their own vehicles to transport passengers, are already permitted in the province, but they must comply with taxi regulations, McMurchy added.

“We have stated in the past that if a municipality decides it would like transportation network companies like Uber to operate in their city, SGI/government would be happy to work with them on any changes they need to provincial legislation or regulation to make that happen,” McMurchy wrote.

Coun. Darren Hill said at city council’s planning, development and community services committee meeting Monday he expected provincial legislation on transportation network companies this fall.

McMurchy said he could not announce what the government’s fall legislative agenda included.

Transportation network company drivers can operate in Saskatchewan right now, but they would need to register their vehicle as a taxi, obtain a Class 4 driver’s licence and buy $1 million in liability insurance, he added.

Provincial laws prohibit transporting passengers for money in regular (Class LV) vehicles for personal use and insurance would not be valid if a collision happened, he added. Applicants must also pass a physical to obtain a Class 4 taxi licence.

Alberta adapted its vehicle insurance rules to allow for a sliding scale of insurance for drivers using their personal vehicles to transport passengers. Rates rise depending on whether drivers are ready for passengers and have picked up passengers.

McMurchy noted Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert have heavily regulated taxi industries, while other municipalities have few or no rules regarding taxis.

SGI said this summer it had sought input from municipalities on what they would like to see from the province, but had yet to receive any replies.

The City of Saskatoon has reportedly since replied to SGI.

Monday’s committee meeting considered a report on city hall’s community standards division that indicated staff are working on a new model for taxi licensing and expect to have it completed by 2019.

That timeline, along with some others, notably new drainage regulations, also slated for 2019 completion, prompted the committee to pass a motion seeking solutions for “more timely” responses to policy issues.