The City continues to review the Vehicle-for-Hire Bylaw and update the regulations for taxicabs, limousines and private transportation companies. Learn more about upcoming staff reports and recent updates to the regulations below.
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.
As directed by City Council, the City has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by the vehicle-for-hire industry to net zero by 2030. A Vehicle-for-Hire Net Zero Working Group, bringing together members of the vehicle-for-hire industry and other stakeholders, was established last year to review possible solutions to guide and support the industry.
From April to June, the City has received feedback from the stakeholders and the public on the proposed regulatory approach, via virtual information sessions, an online survey and email submissions. Thank you to everyone who provided input. You can view the presentation on the proposed regulatory approach at Working towards a goal of net zero by 2030 for vehicles-for-hire
After collecting input from various stakeholders, including the working group and conducting research and analysis, the City has developed a recommended approach on how the vehicle-for-hire industry can achieve the net zero goal.
City staff are proposing the following:
A staff report is expected at the Economic and Community Development Committee on September 21 and will be discussed by City Council in October. If you have questions, please email vehicleforhirereview@toronto.ca.
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.
To ensure that Toronto is on track to reach net zero by 2040, the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy identifies actions and targets to be achieved by 2030 in key sectors. The 2030 goals for transportation are:
Electric vehicles (EV) 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.
New applicants for taxicab, limousine and private transportation company (such as Lyft and Uber) driver licences need to successfully complete a third-party training program approved by the City and submit the certificate of completion, as a requirement of licence issuance. Drivers currently licensed have to take this training program before renewing their licence in 2023. New licences are not being issued and licences renewed if this training is not completed.
The City has approved the following driver training programs for all vehicle-for-hire and private transportation company (PTC) such as Uber and Lyft drivers:
The bylaw requires taxicab brokerages, limousine companies, and private transportation companies (PTC) to submit trip data to the City. This comprises of trip records, driver availability records and collision records among others data, and is used to support transportation planning analysis, including measuring the impact of the industry on the transportation network, equity, environment and road safety.
As directed by City Council in 2021, the City has established a Taxicab Data Working Group, with representatives from across the taxicab sector to understand concerns that have been raised related to the submission and collection of data from taxicab brokerages, address these concerns, and develop solutions.
In August 2022, the City reached out directly to the taxicab industry members asking representatives to confirm their interest to participate. The results of this working group will be considered for any policy, program or bylaw changes that may be recommended.
Learn more about the staff report and the Council decisions.
An Accessibility Fund Program has been created to support the availability of accessible service and to offset the higher cost of providing wheelchair accessible service.
The program is funded by a regulatory charge on members of the industry. Toronto Taxicab Licensees (TTLs) and standard taxicab owners who have an accessible vehicle are exempt from these fees.
Funds will be disbursed to wheelchair accessible taxicab owners and drivers based on service standards and eligibility criteria. Drivers will also be required to have valid accessible service training.
Drivers and owners under contract with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Wheel-Trans program are not be eligible.
Applications for 2023 closed on May 31 and funds were disbursed starting June. Questions can be directed to: accessibilityfundprogram@toronto.ca.
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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