After going largely unregulated, Peterborough limo operators face new rules, inspections
New rules are on the way for local taxi and limousine operators in the city, but the old rules still apply, too.
"It's never been legal to drink alcohol in a limo," said city police Chief Murray Rodd.
But that's part of the Highway Traffic Act, he said; the limousine industry has been largely unregulated until now. Under the new bylaw, which is at the draft stage, companies, cars and drivers will have to be inspected and display a placard that indicates they are operating legally.
Alcohol in a vehicle, Rodd said, has never been legal and never will be.
The city police services board approved a motion Tuesday that calls for the draft bylaw to be discussed with local limousine company operators.
“This isn’t negotiable. It’s a compliance issue.”
Chief Murray Rodd
In other business, the city passed a bylaw that ensures provincial accessibility laws are applied at the local level.
Mayor Daryl Bennett, who sits on the police board, declared a conflict of interest and stepped out of the meeting room at police headquarters for the discussion.
Bennett is an owner of the Liftlock Group of companies, which includes Capitol Taxi.
The new bylaw sets out rules that meet provincial accessibility standards, said board member Mary Smith, reeve of Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield.
Key among the new rules are mandatory accessible cabs and a ban on different rates for accessible cab use. Taxi companies cannot refuse to transport a passenger because of accessibility issues.
These elements are provincially mandated under the Accessibility for Ontarians Act.
"This isn't negotiable," Rodd told board members. "It's a compliance issue."
Smith said it makes good business sense for companies to embrace the regulations.
"There's a business case to it," she said, citing an aging population. "It makes your business accessible."
After the meeting, Rodd said taxi companies have no choice but to offer accessible cabs.
"It's provincial law," he said. "This bylaw brings us in line with it."
While the taxi bylaw is now in effect, the limousine bylaw has a ways to go before it's law. The police board agreed to gather input from operators before a final version is adopted.
Rodd said after the meeting that the limousine industry is growing and requires regulation.
The bylaw would allow officers to pull over a limousine that does not display its placard, he said.
"We will be able to know that the driver, the car and the company are in compliance," he said.
source: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/
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