HomeMy WebLinkAboutLGS-012-25Staff Report
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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: April 7, 2025 Report Number: LGS-012-25
Authored By: Kristina Bergeron, Manager of Municipal Law Enforcement
Jeannette Whynot, Accessibility Coordinator
Submitted By:Rob Maciver, Deputy CAO/Solicitor, Legislative Services
Reviewed By:Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO
By-law Number:Resolution Number:
File Number:
Report Subject: Vehicle for Hire By-Law Amendment
Recommendations:
1.That Report LGS-012-25, and any related delegations or communication items, be
received;
2.That the By-law amendment attached to Report LGS-012-25, as Attachment 1, be
approved; and
3.That all interested parties listed in Report LGS-012-25, and any delegations be
advised of Council’s decision.
Municipality of Clarington Page 2
Report LGS-012-25
Report Overview
Municipalities across Durham Region have worked together to address the feedback from
residents about a shortage of accessible taxis. Through this work, it is recommended that
the municipality amend its Vehicle for Hire Bylaw to allow licensed accessible taxicabs to
engage conveyances within any of the eight (8) Durham Region municipalities.
By removing barriers to accessible cross-municipal transportation, the Municipality is
advancing its commitment to removing accessibility barriers and create a community where
everyone is welcome.
1. Background
1.1 Municipalities across Durham Region have received feedback about a shortage of
accessible taxis. This situation has made it difficult for some members of our community
to travel to medical appointments, groceries/activities of daily life, to visit family/friends,
and/or to participate in employment, volunteer and leisure opportunities.
1.2 Accessibility Coordinators’ and Municipal Law Enforcement staff from across the Region
have identified several reasons that have contributed to overall shortage of accessible
taxis in Durham. The reasons are intertwined but the heart of the issue is municipal
boundaries.
1.3 Section 156 of the Municipal Act permits municipally licensed taxis to operate where
conveyance of a trip takes place wholly within the municipality or from any starting point
within the municipality to any point outside of the municipality. However, this provision
does not apply where:
1. The purpose of the conveyance is to transport persons with physical, emotional
or mental disabilities from any point in the municipality to any point outside the
municipality, and
2. The conveyance is made pursuant to a written contract for the use of a
taxicab which can legally operate in the municipality in which the conveyance
begins or ends.
1.4 The taxi industry operates without written contracts. Instead, charges for taxi
services are determined by a metering device that calculates the fare based on the
distance traveled and the waiting time, according to the tariffs set by local
regulations.
Municipality of Clarington Page 3
Report LGS-012-25
2. Discussion
Accessible On-Demand Taxi Service in Clarington
2.1 The Municipality’s only taxi brokerage has two accessible vehicles that operate on a
limited timetable.
2.2 Staff have heard feedback from Clarington residents who require an accessible taxi but
are unable to receive that service from our local brokerage.
2.3 The current Vehicle for Hire By-law prohibits taxis, including accessible taxis licensed
outside of Clarington from accepting a pickup within our Municipality. This is common
practice in communities where taxis are regulated by municipal by-laws.
The Need for Cross-Municipal Accessible Taxicab Service
2.4 Individuals with disabilities often require transportation that extends beyond municipal
borders. Additionally, not all accessible transportation needs can be met by Durham
Region Transit (DRT), DRT Specialized Service or Go Transit.
2.5 This change would allow for easier travel for residents who may need to access medical
services, educational programs, or other essential services located outside of their
home municipality.
2.6 Ensuring that accessible taxicabs can operate across all eight municipalities in Durham
Region would provide a seamless transportation experience for individuals with
disabilities, regardless of municipal boundaries. Examples of situations where
accessible taxi service would be required could include:
A wheelchair user is invited to go to the movies/restaurant with friends on a
whim. They want to go but it’s across town, so they’ll need an accessible taxi to
get there.
Someone who uses a wheelchair was released from the hospital with limited
notice of their discharge. They need an accessible taxi to get home.
A wheelchair user has a very important medical appointment across town and
does not want to risk being late or missing their appointment, so they want to call
for an accessible taxi.
2.7 Accessible taxi services provide on-demand independent travel options; where DRT on-
demand and specialized services require pre-planned booking, up to seven days in
advance.
Municipality of Clarington Page 4
Report LGS-012-25
2.8 The recommended amendment may also encourage taxi companies to ensure they
have one or more licensed accessible vehicle on the road, as they will be able to serve
potential fares from people with disabilities from a wider customer base across the
region. The amendment provides an opportunity for growth in the accessible taxicab
sector within the Region, which could improve service availability and benefit both
operators and customers.
Community Consultation
2.9 A cross-municipal Accessible Taxi Survey was launched in Fall 2024. The survey
received 148 responses, and the results are summarized in Attachment 2 to this report.
Notable highlights include:
58% of respondents do or would use accessible taxi service, if available.
79% of respondents indicated that they were not able to access or book an
accessible vehicle when needed.
Most respondents indicated that accessible taxi service was primarily required to
access health and medical appointments, employment/volunteer opportunities, or
personal errands (e.g. groceries, prescription pick-up).
The top challenge identified with accessible taxis was that a physically accessible
vehicle was not available at the time pick up was required/too few accessible
taxis were on the road.
2.10 In addition to the survey, feedback was sought from municipal licensing staff, individuals
with disabilities, and licensed taxicab operators.
2.11 Clarington’s Accessibility Advisory Committee discussed the proposed By-law
amendment at their January 28th, 2025 meeting and were supportive of the change.
3. Proposed By-Law Amendment
3.1 Clarington’s current Vehicle for Hire By-Law does not permit accessible taxicabs to
cross municipal boundaries to pick up a fare.
3.2 Lower-tier municipalities across Durham are seeking comparable By-law amendments
to ensure consistency for taxi operators and users across the Region.
3.3 The proposed amendment in Attachment 1 provides an exemption for the Brokers or
Drivers of licenced accessible taxicabs from any lower-tier Municipality within the
Regional Municipality of Durham from engaging in conveyances when the purpose of
the conveyance is to transport persons with a disability as defined in the Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 11.
Municipality of Clarington Page 5
Report LGS-012-25
3.4 The passenger would be required to pay the tariff rate of the municipality in which the
vehicle is licensed. The tariff rates across the Region are within (.25 of one another).
4. Financial Considerations
Not Applicable.
5. Strategic Plan
C.3: This amendment supports the Connect pilar by reducing barriers within our
community.
6. Climate Change
Not Applicable.
7. Concurrence
Not Applicable.
8. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended:
That the By-law attached to Report LGS-012-2025, as attachment 1, be approved to
permit accessible taxicabs licensed within the Region of Durham to operate within the
Municipality of Clarington; and
That all interested parties listed in Report LGS-012-2025 and any delegation be advised
of Council’s decision.
Staff Contact: Kristina Bergeron, Manager, Municipal Law Enforcement,
kbergeron2@clarington.net and Jeannette Whynot, Accessibility Coordinator,
jwhynot@clarington.net
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Draft Vehicle for Hire Amendment
Attachment 2 – Accessible Taxi Survey Results
Interested Parties:
The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision:
Bowmanville Taxi
Attachment 1 to Report LGS-012-25
By-law YYYY-NNN
Vehicle-for-Hire-By-law
Page 1 of 1
If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility
Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131.
The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington
By-law YYYY-NN
Being a By-law to amend the Vehicle-for-Hire By-law 2019-069.
Whereas, arising out of Report LLL-NNN-YY, the Council of the Municipality of
Clarington has deemed it desirable to amend the Vehicle-for-Hire By-law No. 2019-069
Now, therefore, the Council of the Municipality of Clarington enacts as follows:
1. That the following words/section be added as subsection 35.1 of By-law 2019-
069:
EXEMPTIONS
35.1 No provision in this By-law shall restrict, limit, or prevent a Broker or Driver
of a licenced accessible taxicab from any lower-tier Municipality within the
Regional Municipality of Durham from engaging in conveyances when the
purpose of the conveyance is to transport persons with a disability as
defined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O.
2005, c. 11.
2. That this by-law shall come into force and effect on the date of passing.
Passed in Open Council this XX day of MMMM, YYYY.
_____________________________________
Adrian Foster, Mayor
_____________________________________
June Gallagher, Municipal Clerk
Written approval of this by-law was given by Mayoral Decision MDE-YYYY-XXX dated
XXXX XX, YYYY.
Responses Overview Active
Responses
148
Average Time
03:31
Du ration
202 Days ~ ♦
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1. Please indicate which city, town or township you reside in .
• Ajax 40
• Brock 23
• Clarington 11
• Oshawa 29
• Pickering
• Scugog 6
• Whitby 30
• Uxbridge 6
---0 10 20 30 40
2. Please indicate your postal code.
148
Responses
Latest Responses
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11 respondents (7 %) answered L 1 N for this question.
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3. Do you currently use accessible taxis?
• Yes, for m yself 23
• Yes, as a caregiver 28
• I wou ld if it were available in my area 35
• No, I do not use accessible taxis 61
• Other
I~
41 % ),~
~
24%
4. How often do you use accessible taxis?
• Daily 11
• Weekly 17
• Monthly 27
• Seasonally 13
• Annually 4
• Never 12 -
0 10 20 30
5. In the last 24 months have you needed an accessible taxi and were not able to book one?
• Yes 65
e No 17
6. If an accessible taxi were available how often do you think you would use it?
• Daily 16
• Weekly 41
• Monthly 21
• Seasonal 6
• Annually
• Never 0
-I
I
0 10 20 30 40 so
7. What is your primary destination when using accessible taxi services? Check all that apply .
• Employment/vo lunteering 23
• Health/medica l appointment 68
• Leisure (casino, restaurant, movie theatre, community
program) 29
• Personal errands (groceries, banking, etc.) 47
• Other 11
8. Which other types of transportation do you use? Select all that apply.
• Private transportation companies {e.g. Uber/Lyft) 43
• Durham Region Transit 43
• Durham Region Transit Specialized Service 25
• Personal Vehicle 76
• Vehicles belonging to friends or family 65
17%
2r ~ J,,· \__~
9. What challenges ha ve you encountered when using accessible taxi services? Select all that apply.
• No challenges -Accessible Taxi Services in my
municipality work well 6
• I had a need in the past but was not aware this
service was available/did not know where to call for ... 38
• Too costly 43
• Accessible taxi was not available for my pick-up time
I too few accessible taxis available . 79
• Other 37
,..~
21% L )3
10. Which municipality are you likel y to start your tra ve l from?
• Ajax 38
• Brock 24
• Clarington 6
• Oshawa 34
• Pickering 3
• Scugog 6
• Whitby 29
• Uxbridge 6
---
0 10 20 30 40-
11 . Which municipality are you likel y to travel to?
• Ajax 22
• Brock 10
• Clarington 2
• Oshawa 65
• Pickering 20
• Scugog 3
• Whitby 16
• Uxbridge 6
-I
•--0 20 40 60 80
12. Condition of vehicle:
• Exceptional
• Good 33
• Fair 35
• Poor 7
13. Cleanliness of vehicle:
• Exceptional 3
• Good 40
• Fair 31
• Poor 6
14. Driver professionalism:
• Exceptional 12
• Good 37
• Fair 27
• Poor 4
34%
15. Timeliness of pickup
• Exceptional 9
• Good 21
• Fair 31
• Poor 21
11%
38%
16. Overall service with an accessible taxi in Durham Region
• Exceptiona l 2
• Good 24
• Fa ir 33
• Poor 25
-r ·) ~
'--,I
39%