At their regular meeting today, City Council approved first reading of proposed amendments to the Vehicle for Hire bylaw.
Implemented in September 2021, the Vehicle for Hire bylaw (3644/2020) was created out of many layers of consultation with other municipalities, the taxi industry, the transportation network industry, limo and sedan services, designated driver services and the public. The goal of the bylaw is to balance the regulations across the industry to create fairness and equity for all types of Vehicles for Hire in the city while ensuring the safety of drivers, passengers, and the public.
Since the implementation of bylaw, a gap related to shuttle service businesses was identified. After receiving several inquiries related to shuttle services, City administration is recommending amendments to the bylaw that would align shuttle service operations with existing bylaw requirements for all other Vehicles for Hire. Currently, the only requirement to operate a shuttle service is a business licence.
“Citizens are accustomed to the safety provided by the Vehicle for Hire bylaw and have an expectation that businesses transporting people have been vetted under the bylaw criteria, including criminal record checks, driver abstracts and vehicle maintenance safety criteria,” said Erin Stuart, Inspections & Licensing Manager. “The proposed bylaw amendments will ensure continued consistency for all Vehicle for Hire types, including shuttle services, and ensuring safety for customers and drivers.”
Second and third reading of the proposed amendments are scheduled to take place at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 25, 2022.
For more information on Vehicles for Hire in Red Deer, visit https://secure.reddeer.ca/city-services/licences/vehicles-for-hire/.
For more information, contact:
Corporate Communications
The City of Red Deer