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Online survey offers say about local taxi industry

Aug 24, 2017 | 4:35 PM

If you’ve ever wanted to share your thoughts on the local taxi industry with those who oversee it, now’s your chance.

As options for catching a ride in Red Deer and central Alberta continue to increase, including Uber preparing to launch in Red Deer on Sept 8, The City of Red deer says it is seeking citizens’ input to help steer what rules, regulations, and guidelines should be put in place when it updates its Taxi Bylaw and Limousine and Sedan Bylaws this year.

The survey is available online until September 7 at www.reddeer.ca/surveys.

“We know things are changing,” said Erin Stuart, Manager of Inspections & Licensing for The City of Red Deer. “Taxi’s, limousines and sedans are just some of the vehicles for hire in our city, and we need to ensure we have the right regulations in place as the industry continues to evolve.”

Regional residents are also invited and encouraged to take part in the survey as a regional approach to vehicles for hire is being considered in an effort to ensure consistent regulations from municipality to municipality.

The Town of Blackfalds, Town of Sylvan Lake, City of Lacombe, Town of Penhold, and Red Deer County have all passed resolutions to explore a regional vehicle for hire approach. Councils in the Town of Innisfail and Lacombe County are also expected to consider resolutions. Red Deer city council gave its approval to exploring regional options at their July 24 meeting.

“While we can learn from cities like Edmonton and Calgary who are already exploring how best to respond to and address vehicles for hire in their cities; it is important that we ensure we are doing the right thing for citizens in Red Deer and central Alberta,” said Stuart.

This survey is just the first in a multi-step consultation process that will help the City and some of the neighbouring municipalities determine if, who and what rules and regulations should be in place for vehicles for hire in the city and region.