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News & Industry Updates |
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Cell Phone Usage
Effective February 2010, all drivers (including taxi and limousine drivers) who are operating a vehicle, must refrain from using a cell phone or other electronic device, unless a hands-free device is used. The new "Distracted Driving" law allows for fines of up to $500 for failure to comply with the new legislation.
Seatbelts
According to the Highway Traffic Act, taxicab drivers are exempt from wearing a seatbelt while operating their vehicle, assuming you are transporting a client. It is important to note however, that a passenger is not exempt, and must wear their seatbelt at all times.
Please remind your customers of this law and ensure they are properly secured in the vehicle.
Taxicab Flat Rate Ammendments
Section 545-129.1 (b)
Any flat rate arrangements entered into by a taxicab broker with the charge account customers must, for trips originating within the City of Toronto, excluding the
area bounded by Kipling Avenue on the east, Finch Avenue on the north, Eglinton Avenue on the south and the western boundary of the City of Toronto, and terminating at Lester B. Pearson International Airport, be in accordance with Appendix M, Taxi Tariffs from the City of Toronto to Lester B. Pearson International Airport.
Section 545-150 (E)(4)
Where a trip originates within the City of Toronto, excluding the area bounded by Kipling Avenue on the east, Finch Avenue on the north, Eglinton Avenue on the south and the western boundary of the City of Toronto, and terminates at Lester B. Pearson International Airport, the passenger may be charged a flat rate applicable in
Appendix M, Taxi Tariffs from the City of Toronto to Lester B. Pearson International Airport, for that trip or the passenger may elect to pay the meter rate, whichever is lower.
Trip Sheets Eliminated
City Council has approved changes to the Municipal Code relative to trip sheets. Drivers of taxicabs will no longer be required to maintain records of each trip taken in the taxi. Instead, drivers will be required to keep an operator log. It is the responsibility of the operator and the owner to ensure the log is maintained and available for inspection when required.
Information to be included in the log:
(a) The number of the taxicab;
(b) The provincial plate number of the vehicle;
(c) The date and time of the start and end of each continuous working period;
(d) The taxicab driver licence number of the driver for each continuous working period;
(e) The signature of the driver for each continuous working period; and
(f) The details of any incidents, as per 545-148K (3).
Drivers are required to record the starting information required on the operator log prior to the commencement of any continuous work period and shall record the ending information required on the operator log at the conclusion of any continuous working period.
The records shall be kept by the owner, designated custodian, designated agent or lessee for a period of at least 12 months and shall be open to inspection by the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division. This change will be effective in February 2008.
Changes to Thresholds
City Council has approved changes to the thresholds pertaining to by-law infractions, replacing the current system with a demerit point system. Major offences will be worth 2 points, others 1 point and minor offences 0 points. An accumulation of 7 or more points can result in disciplinary action by the City.
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