HomeMy WebLinkAboutBYL 02-20Cfy �t
DICKERING
Report to
Council
Report Number: BYL 02-20
Date: May 25, 2020
From: Paul Bigioni
Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor
Subject: Deferral of Implementation of Accessible Service Supplement Fees
Vehicle for Hire By-law
- File: L-2200-01-20
Recommendation:
1. That Report BYL 02-20 respecting a deferral of the implementation of the Accessible Service
Supplement enacted in the Vehicle for Hire By-law 7739/20 be received;
2. That the implementation and collection of the Vehicle for Hire Accessible Service
Supplement be deferred until January 1, 2021; and
3. That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the necessary actions as
indicated in this report.
Executive Summary: The City's Vehicle for Hire By-law 7739/20 was enacted on February
24, 2020. Included in the By-law is an Accessible Service Supplement to be paid by all vehicle for
hire license holders that do not provide accessible service. The Accessible Service Supplement
will be used to fund an Accessible Taxicab Incentive Program, as outlined in Section 93 of the
Vehicle for Hire By-law.
Based on the current economic challenges faced by the Vehicle for Hire industry caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic, staff are recommending deferring collection of the Accessible Service
Supplement until January 1, 2021.
Financial Implications: Deferral of the Accessible Service Supplement will have no impact on
the City's expenses or revenues for the budget year 2020. The Accessible Service Supplement
was not budgeted as revenue for the City in 2020. In the initial report to Council regarding the
Vehicle for Hire By-law, staff estimated that approximately $28,000.00 would be generated
annually through the Accessible Service Supplement. This was based on a 7 cent per trip fee to
be paid by Personal Transportation Companies, as well as Accessible Service Supplements
applicable to Taxicab Brokerage fees of $2,500.00 and Taxicab Plates of $75.00 per plate.
Deferring the collection of the Accessible Service Supplement will delay the implementation of the
Accessible Taxicab Incentive Program, however, the financial pressures on the Vehicle for Hire
industry call for some type of financial relief at this time. Deferral of the Accessible Service
Supplement will assist the industry as it recovers from the financial impact of the pandemic.
BYL 02-20 May 25, 2020
Subject: Deferral of Implementation of Accessible Service Supplement Fees
Vehicle for Hire By-law Page 2
Discussion: The Vehicle for Hire By-law prescribes an Accessible Service
Supplement fee to be applied to all vehicle for hire license holders that do not provide accessible
services.
Fees charged in relation to the Accessible Service Supplement are as follows:
1. Personal Transportation Companies (PTCs) are subject to a 7 cent per trip fee;
2. Taxicab Brokerages, that do not have at least 10 percent of their fleet as accessible
vehicles, must pay $2,500.00 per year; and
3. Individual Taxicab Plate Licensees, that are not affixed to an accessible vehicle, must
pay $75.00 per year.
The funds raised through the Accessible Service Supplement are to be used to fund an
Accessible Taxicab Incentive Program. Section 93 of the Vehicle for Hire By-law indicates that the
Accessible Taxicab Incentive Program may include, but is not limited to:
i) requirements for grant or incentive eligibility;
ii) criteria for receiving any incentive or grant;
iii) the amount and frequency of the disbursement of any incentive or grant, including
pro -rated or discretionary amounts;
iv) sanctions, including reductions in the amount of any incentive or grant for non-
compliance with the conditions of the program; and
v) reporting or auditing requirements for brokerages, PTCs, and Taxicab Plate
Licensees.
The Accessibility Advisory Committee, City staff and the Vehicle for Hire Advisory Committee are
tasked with determining how the fund may be best utilized to improve accessible services
provided to Pickering residents.
Since the Vehicle for Hire By-law was enacted on February 24, 2020, to come into effect on March
1, 2020, the licensing renewal process for 2020 has not been completed. Letters and applications
were sent to all Personal Transportation Companies, Taxicab Brokerages and Taxicab Plate
Licensees establishing licensing renewal dates which were pre-empted by the COVID-19
pandemic shutdown.
While annual licensing will resume once City Hall re -opens, both Personal Transportation
Companies and the Taxicab industry have seen a severe reduction in business due to COVID-19
related Emergency Orders.
In an effort to provide some financial relief to the Vehicle for Hire Industry, deferring the
implementation of the Accessible Service Supplement for one year is a reasonable action to assist
in mitigating the financial hardship caused by the pandemic.
BYL 02-20 May 25, 2020
Subject: Deferral of Implementation of Accessible Service Supplement Fees
Vehicle for Hire By-law Page 3
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
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Kimberly Thompson, CMM III, CPSO Paul Bigioni
Manager, Municipal Law Enforcement Services Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor
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Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
For:
Tony Prevedel, P.Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer