August 16, 2016
Today, the City of Toronto issued a Private Transportation Company (PTC) licence to Uber, the first of its kind in Canada.
Since the May 3 Council decision, City staff have been preparing and implementing the new Vehicle-for-Hire Bylaw, which came into effect July 15. This work included significant technology enhancements, system programming, and organizational and business process changes.
In addition to allowing private transportation companies to operate, the Bylaw includes changes which have been implemented for the taxi industry:
• flexible ownership for taxicab owners, including permission to incorporate and own more than one taxicab • the taxicab industry can set fares for trips booked in advance, and • decreased annual licensing fees.
With the issuance of Uber's PTC licence, the City will begin to screen and issue PTC driver licences to individuals performing vehicle-for-hire services through UberX. Screening includes criminal background and driver abstract checks, vehicle inspection certificates, and insurance.
Note: Tracey Cook, Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards will hold a media availability at 4 p.m. today in front of Committee Room 1 at City Hall.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Tammy Robbinson, Strategic Communications, 416-338-3761, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
