City of Toronto launches public consultations on vehicle-for-hire regulations

The City of Toronto is inviting residents and industry members to share their views on the vehicle-for-hire regulations at a series of virtual and in-person public consultations Wednesday, June 12 through Wednesday, June 25.

The Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire Bylaw (https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/toronto-code-546.pdf) regulates vehicles-for-hire (taxicabs and limousines) and private transportation companies (such as Uber and Lyft) in Toronto. Under the bylaw, industry members need to obtain licences and follow regulations to operate in Toronto.

City staff are expected to report to City Council on vehicles-for-hire by the end of 2024. The report is part of an ongoing comprehensive review of the framework and bylaw and will respond to several outstanding Council directives from 2021 to 2023.

This review will take into consideration any potential impacts on accessibility, the environment, socio-economic issues and traffic congestion. Feedback received from these consultations will be an important component of staff recommendations to Council.

Five public consultations will be held, facilitated by a third-party public consultation firm. All members of the public and industry stakeholders are invited to attend any of the following meetings:

• Public Consultation (virtual on WebEx): Wednesday, June 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Taxicabs Consultation (in-person): Thursday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. Council Chambers, East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave.
• Taxicabs Consultation (virtual on WebEx): Monday, June 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Public Consultation (in-person): Monday, June 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Council Chambers, East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave.
• Private Transportation Companies Consultation (virtual on WebEx): Tuesday, June 25 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The City will also be meeting with taxicab brokerages, drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles, users of accessible vehicle-for-hire services and organizations from the accessibility community to collect their feedback.  

Registration details and more information about the review are available at https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/long-term-vision-plans-and-strategies/vehicle-for-hire/vehicle-for-hire-bylaw/vehicle-for-hire-bylaw-updates/.

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