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ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS IN OTTAWA ONTARIO, CANADA

ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS IN OTTAWA ONTARIO, CANADA. Presentation to IATR September 20, 2007 SUSAN JONES Director, By-law & Regulatory Services City of Ottawa, Ontario. HISTORY.

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ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS IN OTTAWA ONTARIO, CANADA

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  1. ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB REFORMS IN OTTAWAONTARIO, CANADA Presentation to IATR September 20, 2007 SUSAN JONES Director, By-law & Regulatory Services City of Ottawa, Ontario

  2. HISTORY Before amalgamating eleven former municipalities in 2001 to form the new City of Ottawa, accessible taxi service was non-existent

  3. HISTORY 2004: Consultant’s Report: recommended 185 accessible taxis to provide accessible service comparable to that of a standard cab 1001 standard cabs in Ottawa

  4. HISTORY • 2002 - 1 Accessible Taxicab Operating • 2003 – 25 Accessible Taxicabs Operating • In 2007 Council approved the releasing of an additional 40 new accessible plates bringing the total number to 65

  5. HISTORY Of the 65 accessible taxicabs: Rear loaders = 35 Side loaders = 27 London Cabs = 3

  6. HISTORY • The taxicab industry is resistant to the issuing of additional plates • Taxicab union reps claim the accessible plates are being misused

  7. HISTORY • After receiving negative feedback regarding the accessible taxicab service in Ottawa, an extensive review of the taxi by-law was undertaken.

  8. ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE ISSUES • Few Accessible taxis at night and on weekends; at times, no service • Some drivers refuse or forget to secure wheelchairs • Inability to pre-book return trips • Vulnerable are left stranded with few options • Quality of life and human rights issues

  9. CURRENT BY-LAW The current taxi by-law: • requires that by March 1, 2008 every accessible cab will be equipped with GPS • Requires that by March 1, 2008 all taxicabs be equipped with a camera system approved by the Chief License Inspector

  10. INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Reviewed best practices throughout North America • Established a dedicated team to enforce accessible service standards • Consulted with interest groups, e.g. users, brokers, plate holders, taxi unions, drivers • Developed recommendations for Council consideration (July, 2007)

  11. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Authorize the Chief License Inspector to issue remaining 120 accessible taxicab plates. • Plates to be phased in 40 at a time beginning this October. • Drivers eligible for the next 40 accessible plates will have until December 31, 2008 to qualify.

  12. ACCESSIBLE PRIORITY LIST CLARIFICATION A qualified person on the accessible priority list: • has 90 days to successfully complete the Accessible Taxicab Training Course. • may appeal to the License Committee to extend the 90 days in the case of illness, injury or pregnancy. • who fails to commence operating his/her accessible taxicab within 90 days will have his/her plate revoked.

  13. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Accessible taxicab plate holders must affiliate with a broker that has a minimum fleet size of 25 taxicabs. • Every broker with a fleet of more than 25 cabs must maintain a minimum percentage of the fleet as accessible.

  14. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Every Broker with a fleet of 25 or more shall ensure that a minimum number of accessible taxicabs be in service and able to offer on-demand taxi service at all times: • Accessible taxicabs providing service under a service agreement shall not be considered in this number.

  15. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE The Chief License Inspector may waive the minimum percentage of accessible taxicabs provided that: • The waiver is valid for only 30 days • Accessible vehicles are unavailable for valid mechanical reasons • The accessible vehicle is on order and not yet received

  16. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Provide for the conversion from standard cab to accessible cabs. • Provide that Brokers unable to provide service must refer the accessible taxicab request to another Broker able to provide service.

  17. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Every accessible plate holder must ensure that the accessible taxi is in operation a minimum of ten hours a day, five days a week, except when the vehicle is being serviced for valid mechanical reasons. • The accessible plate holder must be the primary driver. • Accessible plates are non-transferable.

  18. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE Require accessible taxicab drivers provide assistance to customers with disabilities by: • Bringing the accessible taxicab as close to a building’s accessible entrance as lawfully possible. • Taking appropriate measures to notify the customer of the arrival of the taxicab; • Accompanying the customer to and from the immediate interior of the building; • Providing support and carrying items for the customer.

  19. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Carefully fastening the passenger seat belts; • Securing the customer’s mobility aids in accordance with the vehicle specifications. • Addressing customer concerns before commencing the fare. • Requesting and waiting for paramedic services if the customer requires medical attention (unless a friend or family member is present).

  20. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Prohibit the use of artificial scents in the accessible taxicab whether or not the taxicab is in service. • All accessible taxicab drivers to wear clothing that clearly identifies them as an accessible taxicab driver.

  21. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Allow accessible taxicab drivers to pre-book return trips for accessible taxicab fares provided they have informed the broker (dispatcher) of the details. • Failure to do so would be considered a failure to provide accessible taxicab service. • The driver and the broker shall ensure the pre-arranged service has been provided.

  22. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Require that every accessible taxicab driver book-in with the broker or dispatcher at all times when the accessible taxicab is in service. • Prohibit all accessible taxicab drivers from offering regular or accessible service when not booked-in with the broker or dispatch.

  23. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Brokers to maintain and produce detailed records of all taxicab service requests to be kept for thirty days and produced upon request. • Brokers must notify the Chief License Inspector within 24 hours of any incident where there is reasonable cause to believe that an accessible driver has refused to provide service or has failed to book-in.

  24. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Define “request for accessible service” to mean any request made by a “person with a disability” as defined by the by-law to include a person with an injury or a condition where they have some type of mobility impairment”

  25. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Every accessible taxicab broker, driver and plate holder must provide accessible taxicab service on a priority basis to any person with a disability who requests such service. • A conviction under this provision may lead to a fine, suspension or permanent revocation of the license.

  26. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE Every accessible taxicab plate holder is deemed to have failed to provide service if one or more of the drivers affiliated with the plate fails to provide service within a six month period.

  27. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Everyaccessible taxicab plate holder must ensure the taxicab associated with the plate has not been modified from the condition it was in at the last scheduled inspection. • Every accessible taxicab plate holder, broker and driver must ensure the accessible vehicle used is ready to transport a minimum of one standard motorized wheelchair without having to reconfigure vehicle equipment or remove passenger seats to accommodate the wheelchair or scooter.

  28. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • All replacement accessible and standard taxicab vehicles must have the taxi I.D. number appear near all rear passenger door handles in characters of a minimum height of 15 centimetres.

  29. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Require that all taxicab plate holders install a debit/credit card payment reader and signage to notify passengers of its availability. • Every driver shall accept the debit/credit card as a method of payment. • Amend the tariff to impose a debit/credit card transaction fee of $1.50.

  30. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • All standard and accessible taxi plate holders may designate an unlimited number of drivers to provide taxicab service.

  31. AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE • Require all accessible and standard taxi plate holders who use a van or a van like vehicle to install a rear sensor capable of detecting a person or object behind the vehicle to alert the driver when backing up. • Require all van like vehicles to install a rear sensor as of October 1, 2007.

  32. QUESTIONS

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