5.
TAXI
ADVISORY COMMITTEE - 2006 ANNUAL REPORT, 2007 WORKPLAN AND REVISED TERMS OF
REFERENCE COMITÉ CONSULTATIF SUR
LES TAXIS - RAPPORT ANNUEL DE 2006, PLAN DE TRAVAIL 2007 ET MADAT RÉVISÉ |
That
Council:
a. receive the 2006 Annual
Report of the Taxi Advisory Committee as detailed in Document 1;
b.
approve the objectives contained in the 2007 workplan,
as detailed in Document 2; and
c.
approve the Taxi
Advisory Committee’s revised Terms of Reference as outlined in Document 3.
Recommandation du Comité
Que le Conseil:
a. reçoive
le Rapport annuel de 2006 du Comité consultatif sur les taxis, tel que décrit à
la pièce jointe no 1;
b. approuve
les objectifs qui sont présentés dans le plan de travail 2007, tel que décrit à
la pièce jointe no 2; et
c. approuve
le mandat révisé du Comité consultatif
sur les taxis décrit dans le document 3.
DOCUMENTATION
1.
Chair, Taxi Advisory Committee report dated 19 February 2007
(ACS2007-CCV-TAC-0001).
Report to/Rapport
au:
Community and Protective
Services Committee/
and Council/et au Conseil
19 February 2007 / le 19 février 2007
Submitted by/Soumis par: Chair/président
Taxi Advisory Committee/Comité consultatif sur les
taxis
Contact/Personne-ressource: Melody Duffenais,
Advisory Committee Coordinator/coordonnatrice du
comité
|
|
Ref N°: ACS2007-CCV-TAC-0001 |
SUBJECT: TAXI
ADVISORY COMMITTEE - 2006 ANNUAL REPORT, 2007 WORKPLAN AND REVISED TERMS OF
REFERENCE
OBJET: COMITÉ
CONSULTATIF SUR LES TAXIS - RAPPORT ANNUEL DE 2006, PLAN DE TRAVAIL 2007 ET
MADAT RÉVISÉ
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Taxi Advisory Committee recommend that the
Community and Protective Services Committee recommend Council:
a. receive the 2006 Annual Report of the
Taxi Advisory Committee as detailed in Document 1;
b. approve the objectives contained in the
2007 workplan, as detailed in Document 2; and
c. approve
the Taxi Advisory Committee’s revised Terms of Reference as outlined in
Document 3.
Que le Comité consultatif sur les taxis recommande que le Comité des
services communautaires et de protection recommande que le Conseil :
a. reçoive le Rapport
annuel de 2006 du Comité consultatif sur les taxis, tel que décrit à la pièce
jointe no 1;
b. approuve les objectifs
qui sont présentés dans le plan de travail 2007, tel que décrit à la pièce
jointe no 2; et
c. approuve le mandat
révisé du Comité consultatif sur les
taxis décrit dans le document 3.
City Council, 6
December 2006, reconfirmed its governance structure. This included the advisory committees, and the requirement for
each to complete a workplan outlining proposed projects and activities for the
upcoming year. The workplan is to
identify each and every activity the Committee plans to undertake in the
upcoming year, whether they have a budgetary impact or not. The item should be identified with a brief
description of the project or activity.
The Lead Department Representatives are to provide the Committee with information on the departmental workplan and priorities, where the workplans of the Committees tie into that workplan, and where the Committee can assist the Department. The Lead Department Representative will also advise on what staff and/or financial resources are available as part of departmental priorities.
There was no funding approved for the advisory committee 2007 workplans.
DISCUSSION
The Taxi Advisory Committee
reviewed and approved its 2006 annual report and 2007 workplan at its 16
January 2007 meeting. The revised Terms
of Reference for the TAC were not available for the review of the full
committee in time for the preparation of this report, but were reviewed and
approved by the committee Chair. The
revised Terms of Reference includes the changes to the committee composition
that were approved by Ottawa City Council on 6 December 2006. In addition, amendments were made to reflect the current name of
the lead Standing Committee and department to the TAC. The 2006 annual report, 2007
workplan and revised Terms of Reference of the Taxi Advisory Committee are
attached as Document 1, Document 2 and Document 3 of this report, respectively.
The mandate of the Taxi
Advisory Committee is to act as
a conduit between and among City Council and affected citizens and groups and
the taxi industry. The Taxi Advisory
Committee will work with all stakeholders to encourage the self-management of
the industry, so as to improve its overall quality. In doing so, it will represent both the interests of the taxi
industry and those whom it serves in order to best promote and maintain a safe,
accessible and friendly environment for all riders, including seniors and those
with disabilities. The Taxi Advisory
Committee will work to encourage better communication between the industry and
its customers, better training for drivers, the promotion and use of
environmentally friendly cabs that are either fuel-efficient, solar/water
powered or electric, as well as the recognition of those drivers with superior
driving records and customer service.
Community and Protective Services
department
The
Community and Protective Services Department appreciates the advice and support
provided by the Taxi Advisory Committee in 2006 including work on taxi service
and safety issues, driver recognition programme, and on the help in raising
awareness of bandit cabs.
The
CPS Department supports and looks forward to working with the Taxi Advisory
Committee to achieve the 6 objectives contained in the 2007 workplan such as
reviewing and addressing taxi service and safety issues; issues related to
accessible taxis; taxi driver education programme; taxi stands; enforcement of
the Bandit/Rogue Taxi issues; and the ongoing review of taxi by-laws.
There are no financial implications.
Document 1 – 2006 Annual Report of the Taxi Advisory Committee
Document 2 – Proposed 2007 Workplan of the Taxi Advisory Committee
Document 3 – Taxi Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
City
Clerk’s Branch staff will forward the recommendations approved by the Community
and Protective Services Committee to City Council for ratification.
Document 1
2006 Annual Report
Taxi Advisory Committee
Introduction
The Taxi Advisory Committee (TAC) held eight meetings in 2006, as agreed on the December 3, 2003 decision of City Council. The committee consisted of 12 voting members representing citizens, taxi drivers, taxi owners, a broker and organizational representatives (including the Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority and the Ottawa International Airport Authority). Council was represented by Councillors Diane Deans and Eli El-Chantiry, non-voting members, whose advice, comments, and wisdom have been greatly appreciated. Mr. David Dunlop was Chair with Mr. Michael McDermott as Vice-Chair.
Accessible
Vehicles
The TAC monitored and discussed issues surrounding accessible vehicles on an-ongoing basis. These issues included: driver incentives; priority responses for accessible calls and enforcement of sanctions for failure to respond to accessible calls; completion of the Accessible Driver course at Algonquin College; terms of licensing issue; the taxi dispatch system; updated statistics; and alternative vehicle models.
Taxi Service and Safety Issues
The TAC held intensive discussions and received
several public delegations and staff presentations on issues related to taxi
driver service and its impacts on customer, driver and public safety. They discussed in detail the public
complaints process for taxi related issues and industry processes to deal with
such situations. The Ottawa Police made
a presentation on aggressive taxi driving as did members of the public. A working group comprised of TAC members,
industry representatives, and the general public has been formed to further
investigate these issues and to make recommendations.
Existing
and New Taxi Stands
The committee received presentations on the Rideau
Street Taxi Study and appointed a member to sit on the Taxi Stand
Sub-committee. Updates from the
sub-committee were given periodically at regular TAC meetings. Work on Rideau
Street taxi stands was completed.
The
committee suggested reinstatement of the aforementioned program as a vehicle by
which outstanding taxi drivers could be recognized. The Chair of TAC worked to secure City funding to the Ottawa Tourism Industry for
participation in the program, and to help find sponsors to assist in repaying
that cost.
Unlicensed
/ rogue cabs
The TAC formed a
sub-committee and worked with the taxi industry and staff to help raise public
awareness about unlicensed or bandit cabs and the potential dangers associated
with using them. An awareness program
commenced in December.
Taxi vehicle recognition
Coinciding
with discussions on taxi service and safety issues and bandit cabs, the
committee discussed and put forth suggestions for improved vehicle
identification that, in working with staff, have led to ongoing improvements
for customers, including a review of the wording and design of the passenger
and driver bill of rights and tariff card, GPS, in-vehicle cameras and extra vehicle identification signage.
Driver’s
License Renewal
The committee discussed and approved a motion that
the driver’s abstract not be required to renew taxi driver’s licenses. However, it was noted that licensing
requirements for taxi drivers were considered at the time the Harmonized Taxi
By-law was enacted and a subsequent motion to have this issue reconsidered by the Emergency
and Protective Services Committee was unsuccessful.
Inter-city relations
Discussions occurred between a TAC representative and industry regulators in Gatineau regarding the Quebec legislation that requires inspections of Ottawa taxis that work in that area.
Taxi
Script Pilot Project
The TAC discussed the aforementioned project as considered by the Transportation Committee and expressed support for the proposal, provided there is no increase in the number of accessible plates issued.
Light Rail Transit (LRT)
Project
Chair of TAC attended staff discussions on LRT and participated in the discussions, requesting that the taxi industry be formally recognized as part of the city’s public transportation system and be taken into account in future planning.
The TAC will continue with an
in-depth review on issues previously raised relating to taxi service and its
impacts on customer, driver and public safety.
This will include a review of the passenger/driver Bill of Rights, the Code
of Conduct, the public complaints process for taxi related issues, enforcement
and sanction issues, vehicle/driver identification, dispatch and queue
situations, and the driver training course offered at Algonquin College. The committee will look to make
recommendations in 2007 that will lead to service and safety improvements for
passengers, drivers and the general public. Recommendations will be presented
to Council in parallel to the findings of the Ontario Coroner’s expected report
on the incident involving the collision of a cab with a young woman in Kanata.
Objective 2: To monitor issues related to accessible taxis on an on-going basis
The committee will continue to monitor the status and degree of progress associated with accessible taxis, including a review of such issues as the number of accessible plates and vehicles in operation, the hours of availability, terms of licensing, priority responses for accessible calls, enforcement of sanctions for failure to respond to accessible calls, driver completion of the Accessible Driver course at Algonquin College, the taxi dispatch system, and alternative vehicle models. TAC will continue to press for expansion of the Taxi Script Programme.
Objective 3: To review the taxi driver education programme given by Algonquin College
The TAC will examine the new driver mandatory courses given by Algonquin College to acquaint itself with what is being taught and its relevance to issues. The Committee plans to recommend a mandatory brief refresher course for all drivers to include service issues and knowledge of the tourism and hospitality industry. This course is planned for 2008.
Objective 4: To review and make recommendations on new and existing taxi stands
The TAC will continue to examine the need for and location of additional taxi stands and to explore and recommend ways for taxi service to complement the City’s transit system and be recognized as part of Ottawa’s public transportation network.
Objective 5: To monitor the progress of the City’s Bandit / Rogue Taxi program
The committee will monitor the progress of the City’s enforcement to crack down on the number of rogue or bandit taxis operating in the city. Unlicensed and uninsured for commercial transportation, rogue cabs are estimated to do an annual $1 million business in the Ottawa area. TAC will advise Bylaw and Regulatory Services on expanding the present rogue taxi awareness advertising programme.
Objective 6: To monitor the progress associated with the Harmonized Taxi By-law and make recommendations as required
The TAC will consider how the consolidated by-law is working, whether there are any problems with enforcement, omissions from the document or amendments required.
Document
3
25 February 2004
Amended: day/month, 2007
TAXI ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Terms of Reference
MANDATE
The mandate of the Taxi Advisory
Committee is to act as a conduit between and among City Council and affected
citizens and groups and the taxi industry.
The Taxi Advisory Committee will work with all stakeholders to encourage
the self-management of the industry, so as to improve its overall quality. In doing so, it will represent both the
interests of the taxi industry and those whom it serves in order to best
promote and maintain a safe, accessible and friendly environment for all
riders, including seniors and those with disabilities. The Taxi Advisory Committee will work to
encourage better communication between the industry and its customers, better
training for drivers, the promotion and use of environmentally friendly cabs
that are either fuel-efficient, solar/ water powered or electric, as well as
the recognition of those drivers with superior driving records and customer
service.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Taxi Advisory Committee shall be responsible for:
· examining public interest issues as they pertain to the taxi industry, including establishing special ad hoc or sub committees to provide input and recommendations to City Council on the effects of existing or proposed Federal and Provincial legislation and City by-laws
·
providing advice to City Council, through the Emergency
and Protective Services Community and
Protective Services Committee, when required, on all taxi related
issues, as well as infrastructure such as, but not limited to signage, line
painting, parking areas and parking time
· working with hotels, airport and tourism industry representatives in order to establish a positive and ongoing relationship to best address taxi related issues
· liaising with all stakeholders to develop, promote and maintain, the following:
· guidelines for drivers transporting visitors to the City that encourage safe, knowledgeable and courteous service
· a special elite designation for taxi- cabs that provide quality rides on a consistent and continuous basis, held on a one-year term
· outstanding Taxi Cab Licensee award in conjunction with the Tourism Boards
· Passengers Bill Of Rights
· Drivers Bill of Rights
· an educational component that encourages regular training- whether language, cultural, small business/ customer service, defensive driving or weather conditions - to all interested drivers
ORGANIZATION
The Taxi Advisory Committee shall have a membership of 9 to 15 and shall include the following:
Voting Members
· 1 Taxi Broker
·
Up
to 3 Taxi Owners, (preferably one from
each zone)
·
Up to 3 Taxi Drivers, (preferably one from
each zone)
·
1 Accessible Plate
Holder
·
1 Taxi Union
Representative
·
Up to 3 2
Members of the public who do not have any pecuniary interest in the taxi industry
·
1 citizen
appointed to represent the disabled community
·
A minimum of one citizen appointment
representing the rural community
· 1 member from the Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority
· 1 member from the Ottawa International Airport Authority
· 1 member of the Hotels and Convention industry
Non-Voting Members
One (1) representative from each of the following:
·
A minimum of one member of Ottawa City Council,
appointed by Council to act as liaison (non-voting)
· Algonquin College Taxi Driver Training Program
· Ottawa Accessibility Advisory Committee
· Roads and Cycling Advisory Committee
·
Hotels and Conventions industry
Quorum for the meeting will consist of a majority of the voting members.
The process for choosing membership for the Taxi Advisory Committee will follow the approved Appointment Policy. For the positions of Taxi Owner, Taxi Broker and Taxi Driver, in lieu of an election process, a Taxi Advisory Committee Selection Panel will be struck comprised of the existing Taxi Advisory Committee Chairperson, a TAC member at large and two councillors.
Both the Emergency and Protective Services Community and Protective Services Committee
and Ottawa City Council shall approve all appointments to the Taxi Advisory
Committee.
In addition, the Taxi Advisory Committee shall have in a resource, liaison and/or advisory capacity, the following:
· Director of By-law and Regulatory Services or designate (non-voting)
In addition, staff resources from other branches/departments may be invited or required to attend committee meetings (i.e. Director of Traffic and Parking Operations or designates) (non-voting)
The Taxi Advisory Committee shall meet a maximum of eight times per year.
LEAD DEPARTMENT/REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The Taxi Advisory Committee will establish and maintain
a consistent reporting process to City Council annually. The lead department for the Taxi Advisory
Committee shall be the Emergency and Protective Services Community and Protective Services
Department. The Taxi Advisory Committee
shall report through the Emergency and Protective Services Community and Protective Services Committee
to Ottawa City Council; however, it may report
to another Standing Committee where appropriate, depending on the issue.
WORKPLANS AND ANNUAL REPORTS
The Taxi Advisory Committee
must report annually to City Council through the Emergency and Protective
Services Community and Protective Services
Committee (timing to be determined by the Chair, Advisory Committee Coordinator
and City Clerk) on the activities of the Committee in the current year and on
the Committee’s workplan for the following year.