HomeMy WebLinkAboutBYL 05-20Report to
Executive Committee
Report Number: BYL 05-20
Date: December 7, 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 05-20 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, 202 2; and,
3.That appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the actions necessary to
implement the recommendations in this report.
Executive Summary: The City’s Vehicle for Hire By-law 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, 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 recommend deferring collection of the Accessible Service Supplement
until January 1, 2022.
Financial Implications: The Accessible Service Supplement was not budgeted as revenue
generated for the City. In the initial report to Council regarding the Vehicle for Hire By-law, staff
estimated 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 pressures on the Vehicle for Hire industry
deem it necessary to provide some type of financial relief during this extremely difficult time.
BYL 05-20 December 7, 2020
Subject: Deferral of Implementation of Accessible Service Supplement Fees
Vehicle for Hire By-law Page 2
Discussion: The Vehicle for Hire Licensing By-law prescribes an Accessible Service
Supplement fee to be applied to all vehicles for hire that do not provide accessible services.
Fees charged in relation to the Accessible Service Supplement are as follows:
1)Personal Transportation Companies are subject to a 7 cent per trip fee;
2)Taxicab Brokerages that do not have at least 10 per cent 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 annually.
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, Personal Transportation
Companies, 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.
Both the Personal Transportation Companies and the Taxicab Industry have seen a severe
reduction in their business due to Covid-19 related Emergency Orders. Furthermore, it appears
that the economic impact caused by the pandemic will continue well into the year 2021, even if a
vaccine is introduced in the next few months.
In an effort to provide some financial relief to the Vehicle for Hire Industry, deferring the
implementation of the Accessible Service Supplement is a reasonable measure to assist in
mitigating the financial hardship being experienced.
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Kimberly Thompson, CMM III, CPSO Paul Bigioni
Manager, Municipal Law Enforcement Services Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor
BYL 05-20 December 7, 2020
Subject: Deferral of Implementation of Accessible Service Supplement Fees
Vehicle for Hire By-law Page 3
KT:kt
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Interim Chief Administrative Officer