Bylaw changes look to clarify Edmonton's vehicle-for-hire industry

The distinction between taxis and ride-hailing companies in Edmonton could become more clear under a series of bylaw changes endorsed Monday by council'scommunity and public servicescommittee.

The amended bylaws will come before city council on June 27.

The proposed changesinclude better definitions of taxi companies andride-hailing services, and an increase inthe fines for ride-hailingdrivers who accept street hails or fail to provide evidence of city registration and insurance when they are stopped.

The fines, currently $250, would be increased to $1,000 on a first offence and $2,000 on second offence.

"We wanted to make sure that there was a difference between taxis and transportation network vehicles," said Livia Balone, director of development and zoning services.

It has been legal for ride-hailing companies to operate in Edmonton since March 1, 2016.Since then, the province has brought in changes to legislation, which left the city bylaws in need of "tweaking," Balone said.

Several taxi drivers made presentations at Monday's committee meeting.

Most said they support the proposed bylaw changes.

"We lack enforcement," said taxi driver Salwinder Dhatt, who said some drivers are not obeying current bylaws.

The city has five peace officers dedicated to enforcing the city's vehicle-for-hire bylaws, said John Simmons of bylaw enforcement.

They work a variety of shifts, and coverdifferent parts of the city, he said.

"This is a new, emerging and disruptive service that is being provided, and we'll take time to adapt and hone our practices," said Simmons.

A report said the city has spent $1.5 million on administration and enforcement since it began allowing ride-hailing companies to operate. A total of 278 tickets have been issued to ride-hailing drivers.

Of those, 30 were for illegal street hailing, seven were for failing to produce insurance papers, and six were for dispatching a driver without a valid city-issued vehicle registration or driver's licence.

No explanations were given in the report for the remainder of the tickets.

"The proposed changes add clarity to the bylaws that will assist in tickets being issued that probably stand a higher test," said Simmons.