Vehicle For Hire Public Consultation

This consultation has concluded. The information collected will be used to inform the development of the bylaw.

The City of Grande Prairie is connecting with residents and industry representatives to learn about their thoughts on the vehicle for hire bylaw.

Vehicles for hire transport passengers from one destination to another for a fee. These vehicles could include limousines, shuttles, taxis, designated drivers, or other types of transportation services.

The industry forms an essential part of how residents travel from point A to point B. Each service can provide a premium level of service (door-to-door, 24-hours a day; seven days a week) which is not offered by public transportation organizations.

Currently, Bylaw C-1064 (The Business License Bylaw) is the municipal legislation that governs vehicles for hire in the City of Grande Prairie. Bylaw C-1064 came into effect on September 1, 2003. The vehicle for hire sections of Bylaw C-1064 are the most lengthy and dynamic portion of the bylaw, and require the greatest modernization and on-going staff engagement.

Analysis, research and prior discussions with stakeholders have confirmed that significant opportunities exist to increase the effectiveness and value surrounding the vehicle for hire regulations by removing them from Bylaw C-1064 and replacing them in a newly established vehicle for hire bylaw.

An effective vehicle for hire bylaw should accomplish the following:

• Public safety and consumer protection;
• Accessible vehicle-for-hire services;
• Fair competition and open innovation.

The existing vehicle-for-hire regulations contained in Bylaw C-1064 are inequitable and not reflective of current industry trends or consumer preference. The existing bylaw is linked in the "important links" section on this page.

The proposed vehicle for hire bylaw (linked in the document library) will address these inequities by incorporating the following proposed changes:

• Taxi and limousine regulations will be adjusted to ensure these traditional transportation providers can utilize existing and emerging technologies to create operational efficiencies and improve customer experience. Examples include electronic dispatching.
• Designated driving and shuttle services will be regulated under the vehicle for hire bylaw. Driver qualifications and insurance will be key requirements for this license class.
• Transportation Network Companies will be permitted, regulations will include driver licensing, police information checks and insurance requirements.

Please take a few minutes to complete the following survey and provide your input on what key factors you would like to see represented in the proposed Vehicle for Hire Bylaw C-1394.