New taxi bylaw approved

Melissa Strle
Times Reporter

 

A new taxi bylaw was approved at the Oct. 19 Strathmore town council meeting.
Consent to the new bylaw was not unanimous. Coun. Rocky Blokland was the sole councillor not in favour of the new bylaw.
“To me, this bylaw is still not worded correctly to ensure all public transportation holes are followed by a bylaw regarding safety access and senior transportation,” said Coun. Blokland. “I really believe [that by] passing this bylaw, the seniors are going to be hurt.”
The councillor maintained that in passing this bylaw, “we [council] are making ourselves look foolish.”
Counc. Blokland also stated that council keeps “flip-flopping” on the previous bylaw, 15-27.
Coun. Blokland added the town mandate should not be forgotten as it applies to provide safety, access and senior transportation, “not to mention possible laws that might be being broken.”
Coun. Denise Peterson disagreed.
“I disagree with Coun. Blokland that this is a flip flop,” she said. “I think it is a sober second thought and I thank Mr. DePeuter and Coun. Blokland for bringing forward concerns that made us rethink and make this a better bylaw than what it was in the beginning.”
Coun. Peterson explained that within a growing community, it is rational to believe this is a “moveable situation,” and that this may not be the last time council will come to look at the taxi bylaw.
“It will continue to evolve and we will continue to listen to the members of our community including the seniors sitting on the Senior’s Advisory Council,” said Coun. Peterson. “I hear ongoing concerns about transportation in our community. This bylaw, I don’t believe, is going to impact that reality significantly. I think there are other changes in the community that may such as the KARE program.”
She added there are “all kinds of opportunity” for members of council to entertain amendments to the taxi bylaw.
The new taxi bylaw defines responsibilities for taxi brokers, and limousine brokers and drivers, and also sets standards for vehicles used in a taxi or limousine business.
The new bylaw also creates the new position of chief license inspector. The person who fills this role will be responsible with ensuring that taxi and limousine businesses meet the standards set within the bylaw.
Mechanical and physical standards for vehicle use by taxi and limousine businesses are better defined under the new bylaw. The bylaw enables town enforcement to ensure that taxi and limousine businesses are following the mechanical and physical vehicle standards required.
Administration will give taxi and limousine companies a grace period to comply with the conditions set forth in the new taxi bylaw up to Jan. 31, 2017. After this date, businesses must comply with all required changes.