The Weekly Voice

Funding Offer For Drivers/Owners Of Accessible Taxicabs

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TORONTO: Calling all taxicab owners and drivers of accessible taxicabs! You may be eligible to receive funds to help with the cost of providing accessible services. Learn how to apply at http://toronto.ca/taxis.

Deadline: May 9.

Taxicab owners and drivers who provided wheelchair accessible services in 2021 may be eligible to receive funds to help with the costs of providing accessible service. Learn how to apply. Deadline: May 9, 2022.

Companies that book and arrange taxicabs, taxicab owners and taxicab drivers are required to be licensed.

The Vehicles-for-Hire Bylaw regulates taxicabs in a number of areas including short-fare refusal, condition of the vehicle, driver behaviour, use of cell phone, route taken and fare. To report an issue contact 311.

As directed by City Council, the City has paused issuing new taxicab, limousine and private transporta­tion company driver’s licences until a driver training accreditat­ion program is establishe­d, and applicants have demonstrat­ed completion of a driver training course.

An Accessibil­ity Fund Program has been created to support the availabili­ty of accessible service and to offset the higher cost of providing wheelchair accessible service.

The program is funded by a regulatory charge on members of the industry. Toronto Taxicab Licensees (TTLs) and standard taxicab owners who have an accessible vehicle are exempt from these fees.

Who is eligible for funds?

Funds will be disbursed to wheelchair accessible taxicab owners and drivers based on service standards and eligibilit­y criteria. Drivers will also be required to have valid accessible service training.

Drivers and owners under contract with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Wheel-Trans program are not be eligible.

How to apply for funds?

For 2022, licensed accessible taxicab owners and drivers may apply to the program until 4 p.m. May 9, 2022 for service offered in 2021. Eligible owners and drivers will receive their declaratio­n applicatio­ns in the mail. Download the declaratio­n forms for taxicab owners and taxicab drivers .

Funds will be disbursed in June 2022. Questions can be directed to: accessibil­ityfundpro­gram@toronto.ca.

 ?? ?? Accessible Taxicab owners/drivers can apply for City funding. Picture: City of Toronto
Accessible Taxicab owners/drivers can apply for City funding. Picture: City of Toronto

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