Public consultation begins on taxi and limousine regulation and service review

The City of Ottawa is seeking public feedback on two discussion papers released today on ottawa.ca as part of its comprehensive review of the city’s taxi and limousine industries. The City is examining the current regulatory framework and service delivery to residents and visitors.

The discussion papers focus on detailed case studies of regulations in other jurisdictions and Ottawa’s existing hired vehicle regulations.

“The primary objectives of the review are to ensure public safety, accessibility and consumer protection when it comes to the City’s involvement with this particular industry,” said Councillor Diane Deans, Chair of the Community and Protective Services Committee. “Public and stakeholder input is a significant part of the review process and will help guide Council’s decision-making going forward.”

A total of six discussion papers will be released in pairs on the City’s website over the coming weeks for public input. They will focus on emerging issues, taxi economics, customer experience and accessibility issues in the taxi and limousine industries.

Residents are encouraged to get involved by reading the discussion papers on ottawa.ca and then providing their feedback using the method of their choice:

 * 
By email at
[
 taxi@ottawa.ca
](mailto:taxi@ottawa.ca)

 * 
On
[
 Twitter
](https://twitter.com/ottawacity)
using the hashtag #Otttaxi

 * 
On
[
 Facebook
](https://www.facebook.com/cityofottawa)

 * 
By phone at 613-580-TAXI (8294)

 * 
By participating in a working group by pre-registering by
[
 email
](mailto:taxi@ottawa.ca)

Residents can also get involved in the review by subscribing to email updates that will include notification of the release of discussion papers, the policy options and opportunities to participate in webinars.

Council approved funding for the Taxi and Limousine Regulation and Service Review as part of the City’s Strategic Initiatives. The consultant’s final report will be completed in December, and in early 2016 the Community and Protective Services Committee will consider a City staff report based on the recommendations from the review.