Thursday, June 01, 2017
Monday, May 15, 2017
From the Editor: New proposed by laws for the Taxi Industry
699 Alfred St.
Kingston, ON K7K 4K1
What follows is a few suggestions or proposals to make taxi operators more competitive with Uber or other TNC operators as well as a means to generate more income for the Taxi Commission .. so that it can enforce more effectively any new regulations pertaining to TNC's and to current taxi operators. These proposals have been discussed with a number of brokers and a survey has been created for more industry feedback.
New proposed by laws for the Taxi Industry
- Creation of a new taxi license called a taxi operator's license
- Vehicle, Insurance, License and broker's fees in the name of the operator of the taxi
- Must be operated by original licensee
- Will not be able to be leased out and must be returned to commission if vehicle taken out of service or upon death of the license holder (executors have 60 days to comply)
- Acquisition of license is by the following means:
- Any licensed taxi operator (driver or plate holder) at the end of a 3 year lease of a plateholder license may then petition commission for an operators license (automatically granted to a limit of two (2) per year as long as there are no outstanding issues that the commission is aware of..)
- Any Plateholder may return a plateholder license and acquire two (2) taxi operator's licenses (twice in a calendar year)
- Fees:
- Initial fee for Taxi Operator's License will be $3,000.00 with an annual renewal fee of $250.00
- Initial fee for Taxi Operator's License in the case of a Plate Holder turning a plate in will be $3,000.00 for both Operator's licenses with an annual renewal of fee of $250.00 for each Operator License obtained.
- Taxi Plate holder renewal fee will be $500.00 per annum
- Each individual is limited to obtaining Operator's licenses under the following formula Operator Licenses – Plate Holder plates returned must be equal to or less than two (2)
- Taxi Plate Holders can continue to lease their plate(s) under the following restrictions:
- They cannot lease to the same person for more than two (2) terms
- They can only lease their plate(s) for three (3) consecutive terms after which they must operate the plate themselves for a period of two (2) years or return them to the commission.
- Vehicle Age:
- Vehicles plated with a Plate Holder plate must be less than 10 years old
- Vehicles plated with an Operators plate must be less than 7 years old
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Wednesday, February 01, 2017
Thursday, December 01, 2016
Saturday, November 05, 2016
Saturday, October 01, 2016
Monday, August 01, 2016
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Article: Bylaw would idle Uber in Kingston: official
From the Kingston Whig-Standard:
A spokesman for Uber ride-sharing company made a final pitch to the Kingston Area Taxi Commission to drop sections of a proposed bylaw that would restrict the company's business model.
Chris Schafer identified those demands -- a cap on surge pricing, security cameras in vehicles and a requirement to open an office in Kingston -- as issues that would cause the company to shut down operations here.
Currently, it has about 100 drivers registered to work in Kingston.
"My hope is they follow the lead of Toronto and Ottawa and Niagara Region. The point I made was that a number of cities that have looked at the issues of ride sharing, they've gone a way that recognizes ride sharing as a different entity from taxis," said Schafer following a 75-minute grilling by taxi commission members.
"Kingston's task force, largely outnumbered by the taxi interests, recommended a direction that is fundamentally different. That presents challenges for ride sharing in Kingston. I'm hopeful that hasn't fallen on deaf ears."
In January, the taxi commission struck a special task force to look into the effects of Uber on the local taxi business and to determine whether it could be incorporated into the commission bylaws.
The report released in May contained 26 recommendations that, Schafer said, "proposes to make Uber a taxi. It tries to stuff it into the existing way of doing things."
Uber offers app-based ride ordering via smartphones.
Potential customers place their order on their phones, the nearest driver is centrally dispatched and the fare is paid electronically, without cash.
Kingston is not alone in its attempt to recognize Uber and regulate it.
But Schafer told the commissioners repeatedly that Kingston is the only municipality in Canada to make such comprehensive demands.
As it stands, the bylaw once written could also include requirements that Uber cars -- which are owned by the individual drivers -- bear corporate markings and that drivers be subject to local police background checks.
Schafer, who was also the Uber representative on the Kingston task force, explained some of the ways in which Uber operates differently from standard taxi regulation procedures.
He said security cameras and corporate markings are not needed to protect either passengers or drivers because the phone order automatically provides information on both.
The passenger is sent a display with the driver's photo as well as the make of the vehicle and its licence number which he said is superior to having a registration number on the side of the cab.
"How many of us remember the taxi number on the car?" he asked. "With Uber it's on the phone."
The passenger's information, meantime, is recorded through the financial transaction.
Both drivers and passengers can rate the service or treatment they received from the other.
And Schafer said Uber demands third-party reference checks on its drivers in which the company sends in the information to a hired police service that runs checks using the same data base as local police forces.
"Our tolerance is zero tolerance," said Schafer. "If you have a criminal record, you're not going to be an Uber driver."
While the Kingston area commission demands two safety inspections of taxis each year, Uber requires just one.
Schafer said some cities in Ontario are opting for two safety checks if the car surpasses as certain mileage reading, such as 50,000 kilometres.
Schafer fielded a number of questions from taxi commissioner Ric Bresee, the deputy-mayor of Loyalist Township, who asked "Why are you here?"
Schafer said he wanted to "share what the future of the bylaw could look like."
"My goal is to see consumers in Kingston have choice," he said. "There may be some people who don't want citizens to have choice. I'm here to suggest not only can you suggest something new [but] then live happily ever after like in Toronto and Ottawa."
"I'm not that protectionist," Bresee responded, but then went on to say that the supply and demand system of the taxi industry was "the cornerstone of this commission" likening its role to a marketing board.
"A big part of your proposal is eliminating supply-chain management," said Bresee.
Schafer said Uber's new tech-based business model has increased the overall market for both taxis and ride-sharing based on supply and demand.
"We cut prices in Toronto and Ottawa and drivers earned more money. The pie that regulators said was fixed... that pie, there's more of it. Uber has tapped into dormant demand. The pie overall is grown," he said.
"If your goal was to see a future for ride sharing in the City of Kingston, many of the proposals [in the task force report] will ensure no future for ride sharing. Adopt what the task force recommended if that is the goal."
paul.schliesmann@sunmedia.ca
A spokesman for Uber ride-sharing company made a final pitch to the Kingston Area Taxi Commission to drop sections of a proposed bylaw that would restrict the company's business model.
Chris Schafer identified those demands -- a cap on surge pricing, security cameras in vehicles and a requirement to open an office in Kingston -- as issues that would cause the company to shut down operations here.
Currently, it has about 100 drivers registered to work in Kingston.
"My hope is they follow the lead of Toronto and Ottawa and Niagara Region. The point I made was that a number of cities that have looked at the issues of ride sharing, they've gone a way that recognizes ride sharing as a different entity from taxis," said Schafer following a 75-minute grilling by taxi commission members.
"Kingston's task force, largely outnumbered by the taxi interests, recommended a direction that is fundamentally different. That presents challenges for ride sharing in Kingston. I'm hopeful that hasn't fallen on deaf ears."
In January, the taxi commission struck a special task force to look into the effects of Uber on the local taxi business and to determine whether it could be incorporated into the commission bylaws.
The report released in May contained 26 recommendations that, Schafer said, "proposes to make Uber a taxi. It tries to stuff it into the existing way of doing things."
Uber offers app-based ride ordering via smartphones.
Potential customers place their order on their phones, the nearest driver is centrally dispatched and the fare is paid electronically, without cash.
Kingston is not alone in its attempt to recognize Uber and regulate it.
But Schafer told the commissioners repeatedly that Kingston is the only municipality in Canada to make such comprehensive demands.
As it stands, the bylaw once written could also include requirements that Uber cars -- which are owned by the individual drivers -- bear corporate markings and that drivers be subject to local police background checks.
Schafer, who was also the Uber representative on the Kingston task force, explained some of the ways in which Uber operates differently from standard taxi regulation procedures.
He said security cameras and corporate markings are not needed to protect either passengers or drivers because the phone order automatically provides information on both.
The passenger is sent a display with the driver's photo as well as the make of the vehicle and its licence number which he said is superior to having a registration number on the side of the cab.
"How many of us remember the taxi number on the car?" he asked. "With Uber it's on the phone."
The passenger's information, meantime, is recorded through the financial transaction.
Both drivers and passengers can rate the service or treatment they received from the other.
And Schafer said Uber demands third-party reference checks on its drivers in which the company sends in the information to a hired police service that runs checks using the same data base as local police forces.
"Our tolerance is zero tolerance," said Schafer. "If you have a criminal record, you're not going to be an Uber driver."
While the Kingston area commission demands two safety inspections of taxis each year, Uber requires just one.
Schafer said some cities in Ontario are opting for two safety checks if the car surpasses as certain mileage reading, such as 50,000 kilometres.
Schafer fielded a number of questions from taxi commissioner Ric Bresee, the deputy-mayor of Loyalist Township, who asked "Why are you here?"
Schafer said he wanted to "share what the future of the bylaw could look like."
"My goal is to see consumers in Kingston have choice," he said. "There may be some people who don't want citizens to have choice. I'm here to suggest not only can you suggest something new [but] then live happily ever after like in Toronto and Ottawa."
"I'm not that protectionist," Bresee responded, but then went on to say that the supply and demand system of the taxi industry was "the cornerstone of this commission" likening its role to a marketing board.
"A big part of your proposal is eliminating supply-chain management," said Bresee.
Schafer said Uber's new tech-based business model has increased the overall market for both taxis and ride-sharing based on supply and demand.
"We cut prices in Toronto and Ottawa and drivers earned more money. The pie that regulators said was fixed... that pie, there's more of it. Uber has tapped into dormant demand. The pie overall is grown," he said.
"If your goal was to see a future for ride sharing in the City of Kingston, many of the proposals [in the task force report] will ensure no future for ride sharing. Adopt what the task force recommended if that is the goal."
paul.schliesmann@sunmedia.ca
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Article: Courtesy crossings to be upgraded
From the Kingston Whig-Standard:
Kingston's two original courtesy pedestrian crossings will be upgraded to crosswalks requiring full vehicle stops this fall.
As of Jan. 1, the Highway Traffic Act was amended to allow the installation of full-stop crossings even where there are no traffic lights or stop signs.
"This is a very clear, black-and-white law," said city traffic manager Deanna Green. "If a pedestrian is standing at the side of the road all vehicles must stop until the pedestrian has fully completed that crossing -- curb to curb."
There are 10 courtesy crossings around Kingston but none currently requires vehicles to stop for pedestrians.
The remaining eight will be replaced over the next two years with pedestrian-activated, flashing amber lights and regulatory pedestrian signs.
The estimated cost is $25,000 per crossing.
The city will first convert the courtesy crossings on King Street near Kingston General Hospital and on Rideau Street at Rideaucrest Home for the Aged.
The courtesy crossings were controversial because there was no legal requirement to give pedestrians the right of way.
"Those courtesy crossings were always an interim measure. And it's not consistent. You won't find them anywhere in North America," said Green. "Not even in Ontario. And they're not recognized in the Highway Traffic Act."
In four years of use, the courtesy crossings only resulted in one accident in which a car was rear-ended after stopping to allow a pedestrian to cross.
"I would say they're working in that we haven't had any incidents but only half of motorists were yielding -- half or less. Motorists didn't stop if they didn't feel like it. And most didn't," said Green.
The new crossings will require vehicles, including bicycles, to stop for pedestrians and even if the crossing light is not activated.
"It is the sign that requires vehicles to stop," she said. "It's still a legal crosswalk without that light being activated."
Green acknowledged there will be a "learning curve" for both pedestrians and motorists.
The city and Kingston Police will team up for a public education effort.
Fines for motorists can range from $150 to $500.
Green said it is incumbent upon pedestrians to signal their intent before walking onto the roadway.
"We're telling pedestrians make sure vehicles have come to a stop before you enter the crosswalk. You should indicate you're about to cross with a hand gesture," she said.
If using the crossing, cyclists must dismount and walk their bikes or else they are considered a vehicle.
Green said some of the initial installation work has begun at the King Street and Rideau Street locations in preparation for the September launch.
pschliesmann@postmedia.com
Kingston's two original courtesy pedestrian crossings will be upgraded to crosswalks requiring full vehicle stops this fall.
As of Jan. 1, the Highway Traffic Act was amended to allow the installation of full-stop crossings even where there are no traffic lights or stop signs.
"This is a very clear, black-and-white law," said city traffic manager Deanna Green. "If a pedestrian is standing at the side of the road all vehicles must stop until the pedestrian has fully completed that crossing -- curb to curb."
There are 10 courtesy crossings around Kingston but none currently requires vehicles to stop for pedestrians.
The remaining eight will be replaced over the next two years with pedestrian-activated, flashing amber lights and regulatory pedestrian signs.
The estimated cost is $25,000 per crossing.
The city will first convert the courtesy crossings on King Street near Kingston General Hospital and on Rideau Street at Rideaucrest Home for the Aged.
The courtesy crossings were controversial because there was no legal requirement to give pedestrians the right of way.
"Those courtesy crossings were always an interim measure. And it's not consistent. You won't find them anywhere in North America," said Green. "Not even in Ontario. And they're not recognized in the Highway Traffic Act."
In four years of use, the courtesy crossings only resulted in one accident in which a car was rear-ended after stopping to allow a pedestrian to cross.
"I would say they're working in that we haven't had any incidents but only half of motorists were yielding -- half or less. Motorists didn't stop if they didn't feel like it. And most didn't," said Green.
The new crossings will require vehicles, including bicycles, to stop for pedestrians and even if the crossing light is not activated.
"It is the sign that requires vehicles to stop," she said. "It's still a legal crosswalk without that light being activated."
Green acknowledged there will be a "learning curve" for both pedestrians and motorists.
The city and Kingston Police will team up for a public education effort.
Fines for motorists can range from $150 to $500.
Green said it is incumbent upon pedestrians to signal their intent before walking onto the roadway.
"We're telling pedestrians make sure vehicles have come to a stop before you enter the crosswalk. You should indicate you're about to cross with a hand gesture," she said.
If using the crossing, cyclists must dismount and walk their bikes or else they are considered a vehicle.
Green said some of the initial installation work has begun at the King Street and Rideau Street locations in preparation for the September launch.
pschliesmann@postmedia.com
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Letter to the Kingston Area Taxi Commission
Roy Ambury
Kingston ON
taxi.magazine1992@yahoo.ca
July 12, 2016
John Pyke, Chair
Kingston Area Taxi Commission
1201 Division St., Kingston ON
Dear Mr. Pyke,
You asked for recommendations from the Industry concerning safety measures the Commission should require in vehicles affiliated with Transportation Network Companies (TNC’s).
I propose that all vehicles affiliated with TNC’s be required to have the same safety equipment as taxis. Despite the assertions of the representative for Uber, there is no guarantee that the person who orders a cab or a TNC vehicle will be the same person as the passenger.
I can think of three circumstances in which the person who orders a cab through a company app could be a different person from the passenger:
1. If the wrong passenger is picked up, especially at a bar;
2. If “Jane” asks “John” to call her a cab, and the driver expects John to be the passenger; and
3. If the cell phone is stolen and not locked to prevent the thief from using the app.
In terms of insurance, I feel that TNC operators should be insured for the entire time the TNC app is activated, time between and en route to calls as well as the time while the passenger is in the car. The most recent news I have seen is that Intact Insurance is offering a policy covering the driver of the vehicle while the passenger is in the car, but I see this as being inadequate.
I offer some definitions for inclusion in By-Law No. 4:
• Transportation Network Company (TNC) shall mean any corporation other than a Taxi Broker which
1. provides an app to the owners of vehicles for the purpose of being connected to potential passengers for hire; and
2. provides an app to persons for the purpose of being connected to owners of vehicles for the purpose of becoming passengers for hire
• Transportation Network Plateholder (TNP) shall mean any vehicle owner who installs and uses the app provided by a TNC for the purpose of finding passengers for hire.
I feel that no TNC plates should be issued until everyone on the waiting list has been issued a plate. As this seems unrealistic, I propose that the number of TNC plates be strictly limited, perhaps to five, subject to review annually in September. Every TNP should be required to inform the Commission whenever he ceases to be affiliated with a TNC, and may only return to that affiliation if the number of TNC plates in use is fewer than five.
Thank you for considering my opinions.
Sincerely,
Roy Ambury
Kingston ON
taxi.magazine1992@yahoo.ca
July 12, 2016
John Pyke, Chair
Kingston Area Taxi Commission
1201 Division St., Kingston ON
Dear Mr. Pyke,
You asked for recommendations from the Industry concerning safety measures the Commission should require in vehicles affiliated with Transportation Network Companies (TNC’s).
I propose that all vehicles affiliated with TNC’s be required to have the same safety equipment as taxis. Despite the assertions of the representative for Uber, there is no guarantee that the person who orders a cab or a TNC vehicle will be the same person as the passenger.
I can think of three circumstances in which the person who orders a cab through a company app could be a different person from the passenger:
1. If the wrong passenger is picked up, especially at a bar;
2. If “Jane” asks “John” to call her a cab, and the driver expects John to be the passenger; and
3. If the cell phone is stolen and not locked to prevent the thief from using the app.
In terms of insurance, I feel that TNC operators should be insured for the entire time the TNC app is activated, time between and en route to calls as well as the time while the passenger is in the car. The most recent news I have seen is that Intact Insurance is offering a policy covering the driver of the vehicle while the passenger is in the car, but I see this as being inadequate.
I offer some definitions for inclusion in By-Law No. 4:
• Transportation Network Company (TNC) shall mean any corporation other than a Taxi Broker which
1. provides an app to the owners of vehicles for the purpose of being connected to potential passengers for hire; and
2. provides an app to persons for the purpose of being connected to owners of vehicles for the purpose of becoming passengers for hire
• Transportation Network Plateholder (TNP) shall mean any vehicle owner who installs and uses the app provided by a TNC for the purpose of finding passengers for hire.
I feel that no TNC plates should be issued until everyone on the waiting list has been issued a plate. As this seems unrealistic, I propose that the number of TNC plates be strictly limited, perhaps to five, subject to review annually in September. Every TNP should be required to inform the Commission whenever he ceases to be affiliated with a TNC, and may only return to that affiliation if the number of TNC plates in use is fewer than five.
Thank you for considering my opinions.
Sincerely,
Roy Ambury
Friday, July 01, 2016
Friday, June 17, 2016
Remembering David Krick
As difficult as it may be to imagine, it was 9 years ago today that Kingston taxi driver, David Krick, was murdered while he was driving Amey's car 71. His violent death shone a light on the vulnerabilities of being a cab driver and several new safety procedures were implemented in Kingston cabs.
For those of you who are not family with David Krick, I would suggest you visit the following link where we kept an archive of all of the local media coverage about the incident:
http://behindthewheel.blogspot.ca/2007_06_01_archive.html
For those of you who are not family with David Krick, I would suggest you visit the following link where we kept an archive of all of the local media coverage about the incident:
http://behindthewheel.blogspot.ca/2007_06_01_archive.html
Wednesday, June 01, 2016
Sunday, May 01, 2016
Friday, April 01, 2016
Tuesday, March 01, 2016
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Man pronounced dead on scene after hit by taxi on Princess Street: Kingston Police
Man pronounced dead on scene after hit by taxi on Princess Street: Kingston Police
Kingston Heritage
By Cris Vilela
Kingston Police have confirmed that a man was pronounced dead on the scene after he was hit by an Amey's taxi in the early morning of Sunday, Feb. 28.
The collision occurred on Princess Street near Shopper's Drug Mart shortly after 1 a.m. The dark grey Prius was driving westbound when the collision occurred. Kingston Police, Kingston Fire and Frontenac Paramedics responded within minutes but the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. Princess Street was closed for several hours, from Sir John A MacDonald Blvd to Bath Road, following the collision.
The taxi driver appeared unharmed. He was not charged at the scene, and was released from custody after providing a police statement. In a written statement, the taxi driver indicated that the victim was laying across the roadway and, because it was night time and the victim was wearing dark clothing, he was unable to stop before it was too late. It's unknown whether the victim had a medical condition that rendered him unconscious crossing the road, whether he fell and knocked himself unconscious, or how he ultimately came to find himself lying on the roadway prior to the collision. Only an autopsy will determine the cause of death.
Kingston Police confirmed that neither speed nor alcohol were a factor in the collision.
Level 4 Traffic Reconstructionists were called to the scene for investigation of the collision, and west bound Princess Street remained closed until just after 10 a.m. Sunday morning.
Police have identified the victim as Robert Shawn Rouleau, 42. Rouleau was a resident of Kingston and a highly respected local tattoo artist.
The investigating officer, Cst. Greg Smith of the Traffic Safety Unit, is asking for any witnesses who either saw the collision or observed a male pedestrian dressed in dark clothing prior to the incident to contact him at 613-549-4660 ext. 6277 or via email at gsmith@kpf.ca. While police should be canvassing the area, local businesses in that vicinity with exterior-facing video surveillance cameras are asked to check their footage to determine if anything of value can be observed.
Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or on the website at www.tipsubmit.com. Tipsters are eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000. Tips can also be left through the Kingston Police MyPD app that can be downloaded at www.kpf.ca, by private message to the Kingston Police Facebook Page, or via a Direct Message to the official Twitter account.
Kingston Heritage
By Cris Vilela
Kingston Police have confirmed that a man was pronounced dead on the scene after he was hit by an Amey's taxi in the early morning of Sunday, Feb. 28.
The collision occurred on Princess Street near Shopper's Drug Mart shortly after 1 a.m. The dark grey Prius was driving westbound when the collision occurred. Kingston Police, Kingston Fire and Frontenac Paramedics responded within minutes but the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. Princess Street was closed for several hours, from Sir John A MacDonald Blvd to Bath Road, following the collision.
The taxi driver appeared unharmed. He was not charged at the scene, and was released from custody after providing a police statement. In a written statement, the taxi driver indicated that the victim was laying across the roadway and, because it was night time and the victim was wearing dark clothing, he was unable to stop before it was too late. It's unknown whether the victim had a medical condition that rendered him unconscious crossing the road, whether he fell and knocked himself unconscious, or how he ultimately came to find himself lying on the roadway prior to the collision. Only an autopsy will determine the cause of death.
Kingston Police confirmed that neither speed nor alcohol were a factor in the collision.
Level 4 Traffic Reconstructionists were called to the scene for investigation of the collision, and west bound Princess Street remained closed until just after 10 a.m. Sunday morning.
Police have identified the victim as Robert Shawn Rouleau, 42. Rouleau was a resident of Kingston and a highly respected local tattoo artist.
The investigating officer, Cst. Greg Smith of the Traffic Safety Unit, is asking for any witnesses who either saw the collision or observed a male pedestrian dressed in dark clothing prior to the incident to contact him at 613-549-4660 ext. 6277 or via email at gsmith@kpf.ca. While police should be canvassing the area, local businesses in that vicinity with exterior-facing video surveillance cameras are asked to check their footage to determine if anything of value can be observed.
Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or on the website at www.tipsubmit.com. Tipsters are eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000. Tips can also be left through the Kingston Police MyPD app that can be downloaded at www.kpf.ca, by private message to the Kingston Police Facebook Page, or via a Direct Message to the official Twitter account.
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