SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2
P&E COMMITTEE AGENDA
JULY 11, 1996
POLICY REPORT
LICENSING
Date: June 18, 1996
Dept. File No.2186IC.COV
TO: Standing Committee on Planning & Environment
FROM: Deputy Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT: Amendments to Vehicles for Hire By-law:
Driver Training & Identification
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Vehicles for Hire By-law No. 6066 be amended as outlined
in this report to require:
1. Mandatory training for all new taxicab drivers.
2. Mandatory training or equivalent for all existing drivers
by January 1, 1997.
3. All taxicabs to have a car identification number on the
exterior and interior.
4. All taxicabs prominently display a driver picture
identification with number at all times.
5. All taxicab and limousine drivers must produce a
municipal permit on demand.
6. Taxicabs and limousines not carry passengers unless the
vehicle has a valid safety inspection sticker.
7. Applicants for a chauffeur's permit to provide a proof of
employment letter from a licensed taxicab company.
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B. THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare
the necessary by-law amendments.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council established the Vehicles for Hire By-law in 1928 for the purpose
of licensing and regulating the owners and drivers of vehicles for hire
in the City of Vancouver, including taxicabs.
This by-law has been updated over the years, with the last major
revision completed in 1986.
SUMMARY
This report discusses problems related to taxicab driver training, car
and driver identification and dealing with complaints, and proposes
amendments to Vehicles for Hire By-law No. 6066 to address these
concerns.
This process included discussions with the taxi industry and various
members of the tourism industry in a combined effort to improve the
quality of taxicab service as an important part of the tourism industry.
PURPOSE
To provide Council with information on proposed Vehicle for Hire By-law
amendments which address issues related to taxicab identification,
driver identification, driver training and general enforcement issues.
BACKGROUND
Over the past few years, there have been an increasing number of
complaints related to taxicabs. While most drivers are conscientious
and provide good service, some drivers have created a number of
complaints related to poor service. The problems usually centre around
lack of training, knowledge of the geography of the city, inability to
communicate in the English language, sexual harassment and safety
issues.
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When complaints are received, it is often difficult to determine which
car and driver is responsible. Often, the complainant can only identify
the colour of the taxicab and perhaps a car number. It is usually time
consuming, if not impossible, to determine the driver responsible. In
addition, most complainants are not aware that they can call the Taxi
Detail of the Police Department or
the Vehicles for Hire Inspector of the Permits & Licenses Department.
In order to address these concerns, the following issues have been
identified, along with proposed solutions:
Driver Training
Until now the individual companies have been responsible for driver
training, without any set program and with varying results. Some
drivers receive little training and are not properly prepared for the
job. Other long time drivers provide good knowledgeable service.
The Greater Vancouver Taxi Partnership has been working over the past
two years on a number of taxi issues, including driver training. This
committee is made up of representatives from the taxi industry, tourism
industry and regulators. In co-operation with the Justice Institute of
B.C., a subsidized driver training (level 1) program called TaxiHost has
been designed and implemented. Staff have been advised by the taxicab
companies that all new drivers are required to complete the course prior
to employment. However, training for existing drivers is voluntary.
TaxiHost Level 1 included a "grandparenting" clause available until
March 31, 1996, for drivers with at least six years experience in the
GVRD, no more than nine motor vehicle points in the past two years, no
more than one "at fault" accident in the past five years and a letter of
reference from a taxicab company. A total of 527 of 3800 drivers in the
GVRD applied under this clause. Of these 421 met the required standards
and attended a three hour orientation program. No additional course
work is required for Level 1 for these senior drivers.
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TaxiHost Level 1 also provides a "challenge" process through which
current drivers can be granted exemption for some or all of the TaxiHost
courses. The complete challenge process involves passing a Taxi
Industry and Local Knowledge course exam, showing evidence of recent
completion of a Province of B.C. SuperHost course, no more than six
motor vehicle points in the past year, no more than one "at fault"
accident in the past year, and demonstrated English language proficiency
with emphasis on speaking and oral comprehension. A special TaxiHost
English Proficiency Test has been developed by Vancouver Community
College, and is being used to help assess English language skills.
With this program in place, it is recommended that the by-law be amended
to require completion of the TaxiHost Level 1 program or an equivalent
independent program that addresses all major content areas outlined in
the National Standards for Taxicab Drivers for all existing taxicab
drivers, prior to issuance of the 1997 chauffeur's permit. It is
recommended that effective immediately, new drivers must complete the
course prior to issue of a chauffeur's permit. This training is already
required for airport pick ups.
Car Identification
The by-law does not require car number identification, although the
inspector has required this in the past as a policy. It is recommended
that amendments to Section 20 of the by-law include a requirement for a
car number on both front fenders, on the rear exterior and prominently
displayed on the inside of the cab, along with the company name.
Driver Identification
It is often difficult to determine who is the actual driver of a
taxicab. This applies to follow up of complaints as well as ensuring
that a properly trained driver is operating the vehicle. Picture
identification would help this situation, but has been opposed by the
drivers due to concerns around safety and possible retaliation.
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Other cities, including Los Angeles and New York, require picture
identification to be posted in the vehicle at all times, with little
opposition from drivers. It is proposed that the City require picture
identification with a driver's name or number to be displayed in the
vehicle in plain view of all passengers. This will help with
identification of the drivers and ensure that only trained drivers will
operate these vehicles. The use of a number instead of a name would
address the security concerns of the drivers, but would not likely
appear to be as friendly to the customers.
Municipal Permit
Section 5 of the by-law requires that all taxicab and limousine drivers
have a municipal permit from the Chief Constable. Some drivers do not
carry the permit with them and currently they cannot be charged under
the by-law for not producing this permit. It is proposed to amend this
section to require that drivers must produce this permit on demand from
a police officer. This will help to ensure that only trained drivers
will be operating these vehicles.
Safety Inspections
Subsection 8(1) of the by-law states that a license issued shall be
deemed suspended if the vehicle fails to pass a Motor Vehicle Safety
inspection, but no charge can be laid against the operator. Some
vehicles continue to carry passengers with only a temporary approval.
It is proposed to amend this section so that it is an offence to carry
passengers unless the vehicle has passed a full safety inspection under
the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act.
Taxi Detail Contact
Many customers do not realize that they may call the Police Department's
Taxi Detail directly to lodge a complaint. Complaints often come
through third party information, which is difficult to verify. Relevant
information may not even be included in Police Department records, which
is vital when dealing with a history of complaints against a particular
individual. It is proposed that the tariff decal affixed to the rear
side window be changed to list a complaint phone number for the Taxi
Detail.
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Proof of Employment
In order to maximize the efficiency of the Taxi Detail, the police have
requested that applicants provide a proof of employment letter from a
licensed Vancouver taxicab company prior to the processing of the
chauffeur's permit. This would minimize time spent with applicants who
are not serious.
INDUSTRY COMMENT
Staff have met with representatives from the four taxicab companies to
discuss these proposed changes. There is general support for the
recommendation in this report, although one company has raised concerns
regarding the cost of the training course.
CONCLUSION
The proposed amendments to Vehicles for Hire By-Law No. 6066 contained
in this report will address issues related to taxicab driver training,
driver identification and vehicle identification. They will also
address concerns related to safety inspection of limousines and taxicabs
as well as ensuring all drivers can produce valid chauffeur's permits.
It is anticipated that these changes will help to improve the overall
quality of taxi service in the city.
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