Updated bylaw to include 'rideshare' expected this fall

An updated bylaw is coming to North Bay that will cover various modes of transportation including rideshare and taxis.

The city police services board has been studying outdated language in the current taxi bylaw for a couple years now.

It currently does not cover ridesharing.

Police Chief Shawn Devine says it’s all about health and safety for people who use whatever form of transportation they’re paying for.

“That it’s governed by oversight, that the person driving has been checked, criminally, that the person has a proper driver’s licence, that the vehicle is safe and has the proper insurance,” he says.

Consultations with all interested parties will take place next month.

“That consultation will include town hall meetings with both sides, so interested parties, including cab companies, will be invited to come forward and present their pieces and what they believe the change should be,” Devine says.

Board Chair Dennis O’Connor says it’s too soon to talk about rates and what they would be.

“Some areas they do not have set rates, they just let companies make their own rates, for competition, so I don’t know we can really say right now ‘we’re there’, we need more background,” he says.

Meantime, a motion to have city staff report back on ridesharing is also coming up at council tonight.