Ontario “rideshare pilot” regs filed May 19

20-year-old accessible vehicles, 18-year old drivers, up to 10 persons

Ontario has filed regulation 136/26 which will permit rideshare services to operate in rural and northern communities. The regulations were filed on May 14th and became effective May 19th.

“Regulation does not affect a municipality’s authority respecting…the licensing and regulation of taxicabs or limousines or their drivers, owners, dispatchers and brokerages,” reads the on-line regulation.

With regard to Accessible vehicles, the reg indicates “A rideshare operator shall, as an ongoing obligation, ensure that it has detailed measures, policies and procedures to facilitate the provision of designated rideshare services in accessible vehicles, and shall inform the Registrar, as part of the application and renewal process or on request of the Registrar, how it intends to (a) provide designated rideshare services to persons with disabilities; and (b) promote the availability and use of accessible vehicles for designated rideshare services.”

Zero-emission or wheelchair-accessible vehicle may be up to 20 years old, while all other vehicles can be only 10 years old. Vehicles may seat up to 10 passengers, which essentially captures shuttles or mini-busses.

Drivers can be 18 years old with a class “G” license and up to 8 demerit points.

The list of towns and communities in which the pilot will take place include Greater Sudbury and Cochrane.