Ontario posts “rideshare” regs notice March 20
Pilot intended to “inform potential future province-wide oversight”
The province of Ontario posted detailed notice of its plans for rideshare services along the Northlander train route within hours of its last consultation session with stakeholders on March 19th.
On Friday, March 19th, participants from Uber, the Canadian Taxi Association and the Insurance Bureau of Canada took part in what is termed an “engagement session” with dozens of Ontario bureaucrats to discuss the concept of using the proposed re-launch of the Northlander train route to pilot new regulations to be applied province-wide.
On March 20th, the “Northern Rideshare Pilot Summary of the proposal” was posted online.
The proposal reads in part:
“In order to implement consistent requirements for rideshare services, it is proposed that the pilot would:
• Set mandatory minimum requirements for operators, drivers and vehicles providing rideshare services in municipalities located between Gravenhurst station and Cochrane station along the Northlander Train corridor, reducing impacts on established rideshare services while maintaining existing frameworks that support access to the Washago, Gormley, Langstaff, and Union Station stops.
• The pilot requirements would apply instead of any existing municipal bylaws for rideshare services in the municipalities of North Bay, Temiskaming Shores, and Timmins to establish consistent requirements for rideshare services operating along the Northlander Passenger Train corridor.
• Establish reporting requirements for rideshare operators to support compliance and inform potential future province-wide oversight.”
