Report to: General Committee                                                           Report Date: 2007-08-01

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Limousine Licensing By-Law

PREPARED BY:               Sheila Birrell, Town Clerk, Extension 4729

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the request of Airways Limousine Service for relief from the Limousine Licensing By-Law to permit them to broker limousines and to receive dispatch calls in the vehicles be denied;

 

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

1. Purpose                     2. Background                      3. Discussion                        4. Financial        

 

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units)             6. Attachment(s)

 

PURPOSE:

To facilitate a response to a request from the owner of Airways Limousine Services for certain relief from the Town’s Limousine Licensing By-Law.

 

BACKGROUND:

By-Law No. 2002-301, “A By-Law to Licence and Regulate Owners and Drivers of Limousines” requires vehicles used as limousines to be owned by the Plate Holder.  The by-law also requires that calls be pre-arranged from the place of business and prohibits dispatched calls.

 

Airways Limousine Company currently holds 12 limousine licences, as well as a Premier Taxi Plate, in the Town of Markham.  The Owner has met with staff on a number of occasions requesting relief from the By-Law to allow the Company to operate driver-owned vehicles using their company plates.   As well, the Owner is requesting they be granted permission to receive calls using a dispatch system.

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

The two requests, if granted, would basically render this company a brokerage that would operate in exactly the same manner as the taxi industry.  Limousines are different from taxicabs with pre-arranged bookings, no meters, and no advertising devices. 

 

In making this request the Owner stated that owner driven vehicles bring pride in ownership and increases the desire for excellent customer service.  Staff concur with this philosophy but wish to ensure a system that allows drivers to earn a decent living.  The drivers would be required to pay a monthly lease amount for the plates when there are currently plates available at the Town for purchase.  As mentioned in the previous report relating to Premier Taxi Plates, staff is undertaking an extensive review of the taxi/limo industry and will be reporting back late this year or early in 2008. 


 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

Not applicable

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Legal Department was consulted.

 

 

RECOMMENDED BY:

 

 

 

 

                                      ________________________          ________________________

                                      Sheila Birrell                                       Andy Taylor

                                      Town Clerk                                        Commissioner

                                                                                                Corporate Services

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

None