The City is updating the Vehicle-for-Hire Bylaw and developing a framework that balances customer service, economic impacts on drivers, impacts on public transit and congestion, and equity and accessibility.
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As part of the bylaw review, the City is seeking to understand the challenges of the vehicle-for-hire sector, in order to align the needs of industry and consumers.
Five virtual and in-person public consultations, facilitated by a third-party public consultation firm, were held from June 12 to 25, 2024. Members of the public and the industry were invited to attend any of the following consultations, with some meetings having specific topics of discussion noted below.
In person at Council Chambers, East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave, East York, ON
Taxicabs
Monday, June 24
12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Virtual on WebEx
General Public
Monday, June 24
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
In person at Council Chambers, East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave, East York, ON
Private Transportation Companies & Drivers
Tuesday, June 25
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Virtual on WebEx
Next Steps
The City is meeting with taxicab brokerages, drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles, users of accessible vehicle-for-hire services and organizations of accessibility community to collect their feedback.
Research on the transportation impacts of the vehicle-for-hire industry, as well as driver wages will be conducted.
Feedback from the public consultations and industry meetings and the research will inform a staff report to Committee and Council at the end of 2024.
Vehicle-for-Hire Net Zero
The City is committed to working in partnership with businesses, governments and institutions, to take real and measurable action against the climate crisis and to work quickly to create a greener, more resilient and sustainable future.
Approximately 32.5 per cent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Toronto comes from on-road transportation (cars, trucks, vans, and buses) with passenger cars and trucks responsible for about 23 per cent of Toronto’s GHG emissions. This means that switching from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles is important for meeting the City’s goal of achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2040.
After collecting input from various stakeholders and conducting research and analysis and as part of TransformTO Net Zero strategy, the City has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by the vehicle-for-hire industry to net zero by 2030.
Strategies
City Council adopted the following strategies:
Vehicles-for-hire are required to be zero-emission vehicles beginning in 2030 (with some exceptions, including accessible taxicabs and stretch limousines).
Starting in 2024, drivers and owners using zero-emission taxicabs and limousines will enjoy a reduction in both licensing fees and renewal fees until the end of 2029. The reduction amount will vary every year up to and including 2029.
The vehicle age limit for zero-emission vehicles-for-hire have been waived.
Vehicles-for-hire due for replacement by March 31, 2024 can be used for one more year.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles are permitted to operate as vehicles-for-hire until the end of 2032.
The City is developing a plan to support the vehicle-for-hire industry’s vehicle charging infrastructure needs and will also provide education on zero-emission vehicles for-hire to the industry.
Benefits of Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) have other benefits, beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They cost less to operate and don’t have tailpipe emissions, helping to reduce air pollution. Learn more about EV benefits and charging options.
For more information, watch this webinar with the City of Toronto and Cara Clairman, President and CEO of Plug’n Drive, providing information on the EV models available in Canada, how far you can drive before needing to recharge, options for charging EVs at home and on the road, EV maintenance requirements, and the upfront and operating costs of EVs compared to gas-powered or diesel-powered vehicles. The information in this webinar is tailored for vehicle-for-hire operators and drivers in Toronto.
Vehicle Requirements
2023 bylaw updates
To provide sufficient time for vehicle-for-hire drivers and owners to consider the new net zero by 2030 requirements, the City has provided an extension allowing vehicles due for replacement by March 31, 2024, to be used for one additional year until March 31, 2025.
This extension is effective immediately.
Under this extension, vehicle owners are still required to submit annual mechanical safety inspection certificates and comply with all safety and maintenance requirements in the bylaw to ensure that vehicles continue to be safe.
In response to ongoing supply chain issues affecting the vehicle industry, City Council approved a bylaw amendment to allow accessible taxicab vehicles to remain in use for up to 10 model years. This vehicle age limit extension expires on December 31, 2025.
Vehicle owners are required to submit annual mechanical safety inspection certificates and comply with all safety and maintenance requirements in the bylaw to ensure that vehicles continue to be safe.
If you are interested in receiving updates on the regulations for vehicles-for-hire, please subscribe to the Vehicle-for-Hire e-mail listserv.
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