Rideshare rules in Calgary to be reviewed with public feedback

Oct 29 2019, 10:39 pm

It has been three years since the City of Calgary revised a bylaw to allow for rideshares to operate within the city, and they’re now looking to review that bylaw with the help of the public.

Calgary’s Livery Transportation Bylaw, the law that regulates taxis, rideshares, and limousines, saw revision in 2016 to allow companies like Uber, Lyft, and others to legally operate within the city. The bylaw is also the tool with which the city ensures that all drivers have the right security checks, insurance, qualifications, and the like.

The City of Calgary announced in an October 28 release that they plan on reviewing the Livery Transportation Bylaw to see if it needs any amendments that would result in better, and safer, service for Calgarians and visitors.

“Now that rideshares have been part of our vehicle-for-hire options for three years, we’re reviewing the bylaw to make sure the regulations within it are still supporting customers and industry,” said Abdul Rafih, Chief Livery Inspector, in the release.

“The bylaw allows us to set standards that support consistent and accessible fares, convenience, safety and availability of choices. We want to hear from Calgarians how these regulations are contributing to their customer experiences.”

Calgarians can have their say by heading to the City of Calgary’s website, where an online engagement tool has gone live. The tool will only be available until November 17.

Those who are members of the livery industry — that is, drivers of taxis, limos, and rideshares — will be able to submit their own opinions in a separate online survey or an in-person engagement opportunity between November 18 and 30, with details being shared directly to them by the city.

The city’s release also stated that it would be considering a best practices review of vehicle-for-hire regulations across North America as part of the Livery Transportation Bylaw review.

If any changes are put in place, the city predicts the Amended Livery Transport Bylaw to be implemented by spring of 2021.

Chandler WalterChandler Walter

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