Limousine Bylaw Amendment No. 1

Purpose

The purpose of this Bylaw is to amend Bylaw 10670, the Limousine Bylaw.

Readings

Bylaw 14110 is ready for three readings after the public hearing has been held.

This Bylaw is authorized under the Section 7 and 8 of the Municipal Government Act. A majority vote of City Council on all three readings is required for passage.

If Council wishes to give three readings during a single meeting, then prior to moving third reading, Council must unanimously agree “That Bylaw 14110 be considered for third reading”.

Position of Department

The Planning and Development Department supports this Bylaw.

Report Summary

This report revises the proposed Limousine rates and provides details on Taxi infractions and fines.

Previous Council/Committee Action

At the October 24, 2005, Community Services Committee meeting, the following motion was passed:

1.  That the September 14, 2005, Planning and Development Department report 2005PDD029 and Bylaw 14110 – Limousine Bylaw Amendment No. 1 - be referred back to Administration and the Edmonton Taxi Cab Commission to include the following changes:

·  develop a flat rate concept in the bylaw

·  change the hourly rate to $60

·  implement the vehicle permit fee over two years.

2.  That Administration provide a report to Community Services Committee with details on infractions of the Taxi Bylaw and the fine structure

Report

1.  Develop a flat rate concept in the Bylaw

·  By approving the minimum hourly charge of $60.00 City Council is maintaining the primary difference between a Limousine trip and a Taxi trip. Any taxi trip charge is based on a meter rate, which starts with a drop fee of $3.60 and increases incrementally by both time and distance throughout the trip. Limousines levy a customer fee based on a minimum hourly charge with additional one half hour increments. Bylaw 14110, Attachment 1, includes the alteration of the minimum hourly fare from $45.00 to $60.00. Attachment 2 shows the summary of proposed changes.

2.  Change the hourly rate to $60.00

·  Minimum Limousine hourly rates in the City of Edmonton have remained the same since 1996. During this same period of time, the taxi fare drop rate has increased by 45%.

·  A proliferation of sedan-style limousines over the past few years has resulted in this form of livery transportation increase by about 50%. Many taxi drivers are complaining that the sedan-style limousines are directly competing with taxi cabs in popular areas such as Whyte Avenue.

·  The City of Calgary is presently contemplating increasing their minimum hourly sedan limousine rate from $50.00 to $70.00.

3.  Implement the vehicle permit fee over two years

·  To reduce the financial impact of a limousine Vehicle Permit for Group A sedan-style vehicles, the proposed increase will be staged over a two year period. The existing $80.00 fee will be increased to $175.00 in 2006. In 2007 this same fee will be made equal to the fee for renewing a Taxi Licence, presently at $285.00.

4.  Infractions of the Taxi Bylaw and the fine structure

·  Attachment 3 represents a summary of Violation Tickets or Municipal Tags issued by the Municipal Enforcement Officers in 2005. Most of the first nine items listed represent violations of the Taxi Bylaw. The remainder of the violations represent infractions of either the Traffic Bylaw or the Limousine Bylaw.

·  Taxi Bylaw infractions start at a $250.00 fine for the first infraction. A second infraction, following successful conviction of the first, carries a $500.00 fine. Similarly a third infraction carries a $1,000.00 fine.

Background Information Attached

  1. Bylaw 14110.
  2. Summary of Proposed Amendments.

3.  2005 Violation Ticket/Tag Summary.

(Page 2 of 2)

Attachment 2

Summary of Proposed Amendments

EXISTING / PROPOSED
104.9. The holder of a limousine service license shall ensure that each vehicle permit is clearly displayed and affixed to either the front grill or the front licence plate holder of the limousine for which it is issued.
Group A
Sedan Limousines and Minimum Charge - $45.00 per hour
Formal Limousines Each Additional ½ hour - $22.50 / Group A
Sedan Limousines and Minimum Charge - $60.00 per hour
Formal Limousines Each Additional ½ hour - $30.00
Schedule “C”
Administrative Fee $15.00
Vehicle Permits $80.00 per limousine per year
Vehicle permits (purchased after October 1st) $40.00 per limousine / Schedule “C”
Administrative Fee $ 25.00
Vehicle Permit – Group A $175.00 per limousine per year
Vehicle Permit – Group B $ 80.00 per limousine per year

Attachment 2 - Page 1 of 1

Attachment 3

2005 Violation Ticket/Tag Summary

Following is the summary of Violation Tickets or Municipal Summonses issued by the Municipal Enforcement Officers during the calendar year of 2005.

1.  Taxi stopped in a signed No Parking Zone = 14

2.  Taxi vehicle overcrowding = 1

3.  Taxi driver refusing a fare = 3

4.  Taxi failing to display No Smoking signage = 3

5.  Defective tire on a taxi = 1

6.  Taxi driver exhibiting improper conduct in public = 3

7.  Taxi driver failing to produce valid documents = 1

8.  Taxi driver smoking in a taxi while for hire = 2

9.  Out of town taxis operating in Edmonton = 3

10.  Taxi or limo double parked = 4

11.  Private vehicle parked in a signed Taxi Loading Zone = 117

12.  Operate a limo business without a valid licence = 7

13.  Failure to hold a valid limo vehicle licence = 17

14.  Limo company permitting an unlicensed chauffeur to operate a limo = 1

15.  Limo company failing to produce valid vehicle inspection documents = 8

16.  Limo driver charging an unauthorized passenger fee = 2

17.  Failure to hold a valid limo chauffeurs licence = 20

18.  Limo parked in a signed Transit Zone = 1

19.  Limo parked on a sidewalk = 2

20.  Limo parked on a transportation right-of-way displaying advertising = 7

TOTAL = 217

1,185 Taxi vehicles operating in Edmonton with 2,280 taxi drivers.

35 tickets issued for Taxi or other Bylaw infractions.

Approximately 150 vehicles for hire through limousine services with 175 drivers.

65 tickets issued for Bylaw infractions.

117 tickets issued to private or commercial vehicles illegally parked in a signed Taxi Loading Zone.

Attachment 3 - Page 2 of 2