Taxi bylaw one step closer

The inequality between accessible and non-accessible taxi fares in Regina could soon change.

The Community and Protective Services Committee has approved recommendations to the taxicab bylaw that would have accessible and non-accessible taxicabs both start at $4.

Currently, accessible taxis have a $7 drop fare rate — the amount at which a taxicab’s meter starts running — while non-accessible taxis start at $3.80.

Mike Richter, executive director of the South Sask atchewan Independent Living Centre (SSILC), said there is also a need for more accessible taxicabs in Regina, because it’s difficult to get accessible taxi services in the evenings and at the airport.

Marg Friesen, executive director of Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities (SVOPD), agrees.

“For the population of Regina, there aren’t enough accessible taxis for those with disabilities,” she said.

SVOPD was a part of the

“FOR THE POPULATION OF REGINA, THERE AREN’T ENOUGH ACCESSIBLE TAXIS FOR THOSE WITH

DISABILITIES.”

MARG FRIESEN

Accessible Transportation Stakeholder Advisory Committee, along with the city and other advocacy groups, which came up with the recommendations.

According to Friesen, barriers to transportation can have many negative effects for people with disabilities.

“It increases risks of becoming more isolated from the community and creates undue hardship for persons with disabilities,” she said.

If the recommendations are passed through council, there will be a total of 19 accessible taxicabs in the city in four years, said Friesen, an increase of the current four.

The changes will now go before council and, if passed, are expected to be in place by March 11.

According to the report that went before committee, fare rates for accessible taxis are higher because of installation of accessible equipment, higher operating and maintenance costs and additional services provided to passengers, such as loading, securing and unloading wheelchairs.

Richter said while he recognizes the added costs associated with maintaining accessible taxis, that does not justify a person with a disability having to pay more.

“The bottom line is, when you look at it from a human rights perspective, I require a service, you require a service, and that service needs to be equitable,” he said.

In 2011, Saskatoon put equal drop rates in effect for accessible and non-accessible taxis.

Although Richter is happy these recommendations are being brought forward to council now, he said it took a long time.

“People with disabilities were largely excluded from a lot of the reviews on public services, which is discriminatory,” he said.