Council to vote Monday on ride-sharing bylaw

Saskatoon could get ride-sharing rules for Christmas.

The agenda for Monday’s city council meeting includes a new bylaw that would accommodate ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

City of Saskatoon staff had to wait until the province produced its final regulations to allow ride-sharing, which were announced this month.

The bylaw that council is expected to vote on at Monday’s meeting resembles closely what had been discussed over several months earlier this year.

The 24-page bylaw sets the minimum charge for a ride-sharing trip at $3.75, the same as the current minimum for taxi fares. The cost of a business licence for ride-sharing companies operating in Saskatoon ranges from $2,500 for one to 10 vehicles to $12,500 (11 to 50 vehicles) to $25,000 (51 or more vehicles). The bylaw does not include a cap on the number of ride-sharing vehicles.

Under the bylaw, ride-sharing vehicles are prohibited from picking up riders other than those who request a ride through the app. It sets out standards for background checks for drivers as well as the condition of vehicles.

Ride-sharing vehicles, for example, cannot be older than 10 years.

For a first instance of violating the bylaw, individuals can face a fine as high as $1,000, while corporations can be fined up to $5,000.

A representative of Lyft Canada has asked to speak at Monday’s meeting. Although the bylaw will come into force as soon as it’s passed, it’s not clear how quickly ride-sharing companies can mobilize following approval.

Council will also vote on some changes to the existing taxi bylaw, including a fine equal to the cost of cleaning for those who vomit or urinate in a cab.