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Review of bylaw revives debate over taxi meters

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In Midland
Feb 2nd, 2011
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By Douglas Glynn Midland Free Press February 1 3011
Council has voted 5-4 to review a bylaw requiring meters in taxi cabs.
The bylaw would licence taxi owners, brokers and drivers; set standards for the industry and require meters in all taxis; a move that would eliminate the flat fees now charged by the town’s four taxi companies.
The bylaw sparked a debate last year about whether fares would be higher using the meters and the bylaw was narrowly passed by a vote of 4-3. A proposal to bring the bylaw back for review has revived the debate.
The latest vote came last week after council received a staff report answering some questions raised at council’s general committee in early January.
The report says that of the four taxi companies, Central Taxi and Catch a Cab favour meters; Union Taxi is in favour of them, but would prefer the rate was higher, and Busy Bee Taxi is not in favour of meters.
The report says the current flat rates charged by the four companies range from base rate of $5 and rise – depending on the length of the trip and the company – to a maximum of $13.
Based on the meters rates set out in the bylaw – $2.25 for the first 300 meters and 12 cents per hundred meters thereafter – the report notes the following rates would apply (with the current flat rates in brackets):
Downtown to the medical centre $4.65 ($5).
Downtown to Walmart $5.97 ($5).
Walmart to Midland Point Rd. $14.85 (from $9 to $13).
Mall to Midland Point Rd. $14.49 (from $9 to $13).
“It would appear the shorter trips will be cheaper than the current minimum charge of $5,” the report indicates, “while some of the longer trips will be higher based on the current maximum of $13.” The report says the town did not create the meters rates; they were determined by three of the four taxi companies.”
Coun. Jack Charlebois opposed the review, saying one company has bought $15,000 worth of meters. He said the town should consult legal counsel, because if the matter is taken to court, it could be expensive to taxpayers.
“I have used three of the companies and the drivers tell me they believe the meters are fair and will create a level playing field. Three out of four taxi companies have asked for this. I cannot see any sense in reversing it.”
Coun. Zena Pendlebury said the new council should not be reviewing a bylaw passed by another council.
Coun. Pat File maintained the staff report supports the view that fares would be higher. “The majority of fares will be higher. We are being asked to revisit the bylaw because people raised the matter during election campaign.”
Coun. Jim Attwood questioned what he called the ethics of the action, saying that as a nurse ethics are important to him. He then suggested that one taxi company had supported certain members of Council during the election campaign.”
Coun. Bob Jeffrey said “it would be folly to open this, because of what has been said (referring to Attwood’s comments). The last Council passed this bylaw.”
Deputy Mayor Stephan Kramp said he supports reviewing the bylaw because council is changing prices in a free market economy. He suggested there should be public input and pointed out that in Ottawa governments change laws passed by former governments.
Mayor Gordon McKay said he did not “like remarks that suggest this has something to do with settling election debts.”
In a recorded vote, McKay, Kramp, File and Councillors Mike Ross and Glen Canning voted for the review, while Councillors Pendlebury, Charlebois, Attwood, and Jeffrey voted against doing so.

 

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