Changes could be coming to taxi fees in Petawawa. Council has approved a request from local taxi companies which will allow providers to set their own fares.
A request was received from Petawawa Taxi on February 1, 2022, requesting the minimum fare be raised from the amount set in 2011. Just over a month later Ed’s Taxi requested the same.
Last time rates were raised for taxi companies in Petawawa was 11-years ago in 2011.
In 2011, council approved the taxi fare increase as follows:
- Minimum fare from $3.50 to $4.25;
- Each kilometre or part thereof from $1.50 to $1.75.
Clerk Colin Howard says a recent review of local municipal taxi fares, shows taxi fares range from $4.25 to $4.60 with some municipalities simply having a flat rate per trip ranging from $7.00 t0 $11.50.
Following a lengthy debate on Monday night (March 14th, 2022), council decided to allow taxi service providers to set their own rates.
Taxi companies in Petawawa will need to communicate fees to the passenger prior to engagement and fares must be posted in a conspicuous place in the taxi for passengers to review.
Under the new regulations, cab companies would not be able to charge a higher fare or additional fee to people with a disability and can’t charge a fee for storage of mobility aids or mobility assistive devices.
A by-law will be brought forward to the next council meeting to make the changes official.
Full licencing of drivers and vehicles by the Town of Petawawa would continue which includes annual vulnerable sector criminal record checks, annual driver abstracts, annual vehicle safeties and confirmation of commercial vehicle and liability insurance.
Councillor James Carmody agreed that the quality of vehicles on the road should meet certain standards and that drivers need to be vetted, but adds council is not in a position to set the rates because they are not taxi drivers.
Another option that was considered was a potential increase in fares with a review every two years by councillors.
Councilor Carmody says if the price of gas were to double again, why should companies have to wait two years for a review of rates.
Councillor Theresa Sabourin adds Petawawa also has an agreement with Carefor to help get people around town.
Deputy Clerk Dawn Recoskie added the town and commissionaires are investigating a company that’s operating an underground taxi company in Petawawa.
Recoskie warned that these underground companies do not have commercial liability insurance.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
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