Sioux Lookout is getting out of the business of running taxi cab services.
After a two year review of the local transportation sector, Council has decided to rescind a bylaw which provides licensing and regulating of taxicabs and limousines in the community.
Municipal officials say the expansion of ride-sharing services, the introduction of a local transit service, organizations providing their own transportation services to clients and concerns of taxi cab over-regulations were all factors leading to the decision by Council.
Staff have been directed to monitor all concerns and complaints for a two-year period, after which, Council may revisit its decision.
The effect of the deregulation of services includes:
-Fares charged by taxicab operators are now at the discretion of the Operators –Council no longer sets the fare rates.
-Operators are no longer required to submit their taxicab vehicles to the Municipality’s By-law Enforcement Department for inspection (all other provincially mandated inspections are still required).
-Drivers are no longer required to submit Criminal Reference Checks, Drivers’ Abstracts and related documentation to the Municipality.
-Other transportation service options (e.g., taxicabs from other jurisdictions, ride-sharing and ride-hailing services (e.g. Uber)) are now free to operate within the Municipality.
-All other licensing requirements that were imposed upon Taxicab Operators via the Bylaw have been eliminated.
Those who wish to file a complaint are encouraged to use the Municipalities “Service Request” system, by calling 737-2700 or by visiting https://www.siouxlookout.ca/en/email/emailattachment.aspx?id=549&ref=https://www.si
