The Ontario Accessible Cab Story Ottawa

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The Ontario Accessible Cab StoryOttawas
Experience

• Presented to the IATR
• September 21, 2005, Niagara Falls, Ontario
• by Susan Jones, Director By-law Services, City of
  Ottawa

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Ottawa At A Glance

• Fourth largest city in Canada / Nations Capital
• Population approximately 800,000 and growing
• City spans 977 square miles with 150 communities
• 89 square miles (8.3) urban area
• 888 square miles (91.7) rural area

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Background

• Ottawa amalgamated on January 1, 2001
• 11 lower tier municipalities
• 1 upper tier Regional Government
• 6 lower tier municipal taxi licensing by-laws
• Existing by-laws remain in effect until changed
  or repealed or they reach a 5 year sunset clause
  (January 1, 2006)

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Ottawas Taxi Industry in 2001

• 1001 Standard Taxicab Plates
• Approximately 2000 licensed drivers
• 17 Licensed Brokers
• No Accessible Taxicab Service
• Disabled Community Served By ParaTranspo
• 24 hrs Notice Required For Service

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History of Accessible Cab Service in Ottawa

• Early 1990s
• Federal Provincial Grants
• Very small fleet
• Ineffective service
• Low service demand/Para Transpo
• Expensive to purchase/operate

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History of Accessible Cab Service in Ottawa

• Provincial Standard CSA D409
• Institutional look
• Inappropriate as a taxicab
• Limited to serving only the disabled

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New Accessible Taxi Cab Reforms 2001-2004

• Issuance of 25 plates by lottery
• Newer vehicle (less than 2 years)
• Enhanced training
• Allow for plates to be sold but only after 5
  years in business
• Plate must always be accessible
• Give priority to requests for Accessible Cabs

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Accessible Plate Distribution

• Lottery
• Issuance to first 25 drivers
• Enhanced training
• 32 hour course
• Purchase of accessible vehicle
• 1.00 annual license fee
• Priority list

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ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS 2002 AND 2004

• City of Ottawa successfully lobbies Ontario
  Provincial Government
• Changes implemented to accommodate new accessible
  taxicabs

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LONDON BLACK CAB2002
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REAR LOADING ACCESSIBLE CAB2004
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OTTAWAS ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE

• Very well received by accessible community
• Taxi driver union imposes 2 driver limit on each
  vehicle
• Not enough cabs to provide reliable service
• Some drivers not picking up accessible
  fares/prefer to pick up standard fares
• Popularity of London Cabs results in alleged
  additional bookings for weddings and tours

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NEW PROPOSED ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS

• Consultant retained to determine appropriate
  number of accessible cabs needed to provide
  service
• At minimum 25 plates needed right away

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NEW PROPOSED ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS

• 4 options identified based on service needs
• Population Percentage 38 plates
• General Availability 50-70 plates
• Reasonable Comparability 135-185 plates
• Equal Level Service 1026 plates

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NEW PROPOSED ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS FOR
JANUARY 1,2006

• All new plates issued in the future shall be for
  Accessible taxicabs
• Beginning 2006, 40 new accessible taxicab plates
  issued each year until 2009 or whichever event
  comes later

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NEW PROPOSED ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS FOR
JANUARY 1,2006

• Because of industry opposition concerning the
  issuance of additional plates, Council will
  consider allowing existing plate holders to
  convert to accessible within the required
  timelines

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NEW PROPOSED ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS FOR
JANUARY 1,2006

• Once target of accessible plates has been met,
  issuance of any additional plates will be based
  on a ratio to determine maximum number of
  taxicabs
• 1 taxicab for every 784 residents

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NEW PROPOSED ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS FOR
JANUARY 1,2006

• Taxicab Driver Training
• September 1st, 2006
• To obtain a Taxicab Driver Licence, all drivers
  must successfully complete standard and
  accessible driver training course

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NEW PROPOSED ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS FOR
JANUARY 1,2006

• Age of Vehicles Restriction will be the same for
  Accessible Cabs as they are for standard cabs
  Less than 7 model years old
• Exception London Black Cab-less than 14 model
  years old

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NEW PROPOSED ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS FOR
JANUARY 1,2006

• GPS and Digital Security Camera system to be in
  all cabs by 2008
• Significant opposition by industry may result in
  Council decision to have equipment operating in
  accessible cabs first. (Pilot Project)

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NEXT STEPS

• Ottawa City Council to consider proposals on
  September 28th.
• Council Disposition can be found online at
  ottawa.ca
• Information or questions susan.jones_at_ottawa.ca
• Telephone [phone] x25536

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QUESTIONS