Compiled Comments:
Online Form Comments, Emails and Proposals
This document contains a compilation of some of the input received from taxicab stakeholders
from Phase 2 to 3, including online form comments, emails and voice message summaries. As
requested by many industry stakeholders, in order to protect their anonymity, identifiers have
been removed.
Other stakeholder and public input is posted online at www.toronto.ca/taxireview. Please
contact us with any questions or comments:
The Taxicab Industry Review
City of Toronto, Municipal Licensing & Standards
City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, West Tower, 16th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2
Website: www.toronto.ca/taxireview
Email: [email protected]
Voicemail line: 416-338-3095
TTY: 416- 338-0889
Fax: 416-696-4153
The Taxicab Industry Review
Compiled Comments: Online Comment Forms, Emails and Voice Messages
This is a very hard job city of Toronto can not handle it, please take a help of New York city,
from past 2 plus years we are listening this stories, 23 Jan 2014 is also not possible for the
report, so please leave it to the next mayor or as I said take help from New York city.
Thanks you for wasting time and good luck
Hi,
It was oog to see that city of Toronto is taking inteeest in the taxi industry. In fact the key points
on the front page arr not the key facts.
If city is really interested to fix the problems , they must have to listen the drivers.700 $ (weekly
lease) driver has to pay at any cost for example, if he is sick, family problem , doctor appoints,
even if he is attending his parents funeral. Forced to work 84 hours a week .can be hireed and
fired any time by garages and fleets.
In that case city is interested in drivers safety ? What a joke it is ?
Regards,
Driver.
Rent we paying for taxi is too 600 for week nightshirt pls help us this killing I can't day off
because the rent? U know how hard make 600 hundred then gas money after that what I make
I take home is Realey tuff there days pls do some our hope is only you Txs 600 hundred
OPEN LETTER TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
With reference from Toronto Metro News paper Wednesday,
October 23 , 2013
"Ms Vanessa Fletcher the project manager for the city's Taxi cab review quoted "Under the
propose system licence is sold
or transferred it would become a new Taxi Cab Licence with difference rules. The licence holder
would have to drive the taxi but could take some secondary driver to take the rest of the shift"
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The Taxicab Industry Review
Compiled Comments: Online Comment Forms, Emails and Voice Messages
With due respect I would like you to please expatiate on this rules . I'am an Ambassador taxicab
owner, Age 65 year old and 32years driving taxi in this city. Also, planning for retirement after
this matter is settled sometime 2014.
To my understanding this rule is saying that I am going to drive taxi till the rest of my life.
Panic and worried in state of confusion . Waiting for your respond in this matter
God Bless
I am a constituent of your ward. I am writing in regards to the Taxicab Review.
I am deeply concerned that merely 3.5 percent of cabs in Toronto are accessible – and that
many of them cannot be booked in a timely manner, as many of them are already contracted
out to other services.
No Torontonian should have to wait an undue period of time for an accessible cab. We need
substantially more accessible cabs on our streets, today.
As such, I am asking that you support mandated accessibility for all new licenses for all new
licenses, starting January 1st 2014. This is not only in in keeping with the letter of the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, but also its spirit.
A proud Torontonian, I am excited to welcome the world to the 2015 Pan Am Games. As the
City recognizes, more needs to be done to increase taxicab accessibility by then.
Let’s be ambitious. Let’s be fair.
Let’s mandate accessibility for new taxicab licenses.
Hi there,
I didn't know who to contact but I recently had a terrifying experience riding in a cab that
appears to be unlicensed. The driver's license was not displayed and there was none of the
other identifying documents (passengers rights, fares).
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The driver did not know the city, was a dangerous driver (passing by going out of the lanes and
driving through red lights) and wouldn't let us leave the car when we became uncomfortable. I
don't have the drivers license.
Please take action on this dangerous situation.
Accessible cabs will be big cabs and burn almost double gas then regular new cabs. So it will do
atmospheric pollution almost double than existing cabs.
Financially if a guy invest 60000$ in accessible he should recover his money in two years. Third
year should be investment profit. After three years car become garbage even after 2.5 years
taxi is garbage. So if u divide 60000& by 24 it is equal to 2500 $ month depreciation of vehicle
per month. Right now depreciation of car is around $700 per month.
Finally this will bring double pollution and around 1800$ per month financial burden on the
driver which finally customers have to bear and steeling of fares in private cars will increase
because of very high cab fares and this industry will die because no body will make money.
Thanks
i am getting sick hard to drive convert all the Ambassador to Standard and very few may 6-10%
accessible vehicle need you can issue to Yong driver on waiting list
sir/madam
I am a city off Toronto cab driver working in night shift and for me my biggest concern is the
continues increase in lease amount from 550-630 $
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The Taxicab Industry Review
Compiled Comments: Online Comment Forms, Emails and Voice Messages
in one year time its been very hard with the situation both economic and geo politic in canada
and in states and I have seen a big drop in night life off toronto
on the other hand every garage owner feels and acts like a king off once lively hood and always
complain about the increase in the cost off insurance and maintenance due to bad roads and
construction in toronto also cost off plates going out off the roof one thing that I need to
mention too is too bring the garages and cab drivers under the umbrella off tax system cause a
drivers income is calculated at a gross off 40000=50000 per year but the mater of fact is they
pay 630 every week to the garages which they take in form off cash orr vouchers from company
try to regulate this and find a reasonable base gross income tax system for cab drivers too
thx and have a great day
Toronto taxi alliance is created to negatively influence the review committee and it is rumored
that the money mafia has generated 2 million dollars to support their agenda. The brokerage
do not represent the drivers. The first thing to be done is to finish leasing agents. Please please
please finish the leasing agents. The plate should only be leased to a driver. For God sack, don't
take poor people's curse upon you. First finish the leasing agents, then start. Anything else. You
will be successful.
There should be no agent. Owners should lease plate direct to the driver.One driver should be
able lease only plate not more than one plate. Lessee should must drive one shift.Ambassadors
plates should be converted in to standard plates to create more jobs and also to manage the
shortage of standard plates.
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Compiled Comments: Online Comment Forms, Emails and Voice Messages
TTA does not represent shift drivers. These few people who own brokerages and sucking
drivers blood day and night cannot represent us drivers. They want to maintain current status
quo because its going to effect their income they are making from drivers. We drivers fully
support the current reform in the industry. TTA thinks that money can change anything.
I already wrote my view couple of month ago.Today I am again.I dont understand why you
are prolonging this procedure?,simply because you are unable to decide in drivers sides(Do1
shift driver).You dont want to solve our problems.You want to give favours to garage peoples so
that they can make more money and suck our remaining few drops of blood.
A company anounces for $25 increase of drivers lease without any reason two week ago.but
now when he saw lot of drivers were in the meeting at 17th oct ,he changed his mind .He
announces again and taken back his decision.Agents and garages peoples increase ours lease
whenever they want without any reason simply because they can get new drivers any times
and they thread us about that.Like a garage owner always tells his drivers that today he recieve
calls from 10 new drivers so if you wont give me this amount ,leave my car rightaway.
By this way they black mail us every day.But I am sure you are just enjoying our situation and
wont do anything.Now you went on next year,this is the very nice way to do.Thank you so much
for putting salt on our wounds,leave us alone now.
Thanks,
I believe that Taxis can contribute to City safety because a number of taxi drivers are already
good, defensive drivers. And this can be built on to, creating safety awareness as well as
positive public feedback on our metaphorical road to expand our taxi services to more branches
of the population (e.g., accessible taxis).
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The Taxicab Industry Review
Compiled Comments: Online Comment Forms, Emails and Voice Messages
I don’t know how many taxi drivers have the experience of being a bicycle rider in the City of
Toronto.
And now we have E-bikes, silent bikes that take liberties in travelling on sidewalks, as vehicles
on roads AND in bicycle lanes, seeming to follow no rules of the road and being unlicensed and
seemingly unpoliceable.
We are trying to build up public transportation and struggle with diminishing street-level space
for our transportation. To me, a city should be strongest in public transportation like subways
and buses, with taxis an affordable alternative to be called ahead or hailed by a customer
requiring door-to-door service but for a City to be primarily safe for cyclists and safely
WALKABLE at ground level.
Is it possible to devise and publicize a driver’s signal for ‘CYCLE’ and perhaps even ‘PEDESTRIAN’
(similar to motorcycle signaling)
To help vehicles behind/passing realize the front driver is dealing with an obstacle ahead
Benefit:
Create awareness of both taxis and cyclists sharing space on the road.
Possible signals???
e.g., - two fingers for pedestrian (i.e., peace sign, possibly upsidedown)
- a ‘circle’ made with 2 fingers for cyclist.
Incidentally, the number of illegal pedestrians along tourist-driven thoroughfares like Queen
and King Streets has skyrocketed and the number of times I have both witnessed ‘near misses’
with pedestrians, cars and even large casino buses asserting their right of way over people who
are taking advantage of intermittent traffic jams, to jaywalk IS UNCOUNTABLE! These incidents
are narrowly averted horrific events.
Perhaps something like this signalling system (or another idea, generated by drivers) is a way of
getting ahead of a public safety issue?
Hi, ambassador plate should convert to the standard plate to bring more jobs for drivers and
also to cover the shortage of standard plates
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The Taxicab Industry Review
Compiled Comments: Online Comment Forms, Emails and Voice Messages
Hello,
Nothing needs to change. Only to properly enforce the actual laws, By-laws, rules and
regulations.
Taxi Review Framework for change has no practical value. It is futile. Worthless.
It is a an exercise of theory in the world of fiction done by kids with Ph.D.-s
Unfortunately they play with the lives of 15,000 workers in the taxi industry.
It is very bias to the Ambassadors, and harming to all others, especially 9000 shift drivers.
Ambassador program should continue and this way it will help the shift drivers. From the
beginning the Ambassador program was designed to help the shift drivers. Every Ambassador
owner knew from the beginning that the plate is not transferable. Why now they want to
change it to standard?
“Many of the Ambassador plate holders gave the false statement that they were full time taxi
drivers as plate lessees or shift drivers. They claimed that they don’t have a regular plate while
they had the plate under their wife’s name and grabbed the Ambassador. There are many
Ambassadors who are doing other full time jobs, some as bus drivers and they are holding the
Ambassador just waiting for the opportunity to sell it and make the profit, without driving it”.”
There are Ambassadors who drive with 2 shift drivers”
Continue the Ambassador program! Liberate the taxi drivers from the tyranny of the garages !
There are not enough taxis. All cabs stay downtown. The rest of the city is under-served.
Open access to the Pearson Airport for the Toronto taxis! Let the Toronto taxis pick up fares
from the Pearson Airport. Most of the passengers are coming to Toronto anyway. Why taxis
from other jurisdictions, as Mississaga serve them? Who pay for the Toronto city taxes and
fees? This anomaly is unique in the whole North America. See Chicago and New York taxis
legislation. Pearson Airport is federal land.
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The Taxicab Industry Review
Compiled Comments: Online Comment Forms, Emails and Voice Messages
For insurance reason get rid of the bad drivers!
$ 4.25 as fare start is right because most of the fares are short runs after long waits. The
average trip is $ 10. The average shift driver income is $ 5-6 per hour.
Toronto Taxi industry has no need to be organized and reorganized.
It’ s the most regulated bussiness in the world with no access to the Pearson Airport.
This over-regulation is killing us, the shift drivers, and pushes the taxi bussiness to limos and
illegal taxis.
Nothing needs to change. Only to properly enforce the actual laws, By-laws, rules and
regulations.
It is in sane,
Taxireview Team !
You should be a shame that people in wheelchairs have no equal access to cab service like
everyone else for everyone in Toronto talks about equality. Anstead we are being touched for #
30.- just around the corner, never mind flagging one.
It would be up to you to get this long, long overdue service implemented, but you are dragging
your taxi review along so nothing really happens. Looks almost the "Mafia" got you in the grips.
you guys have to waist the drivers time for nothing so stop the bullshit servay
I'm a licensed driver by city of toronto. Recently I'm getting forced out of industry because of
too much lease. I have driven for city almost 10 years but now I cannot put 80 hours per week
no more because of my health. So it is very hard for me to make end meets. Problem with our
industry is less customers, every day increasing plate rent, increasing agents commison, plates
blocked by brokerages. There is no system for regular drivers in our city.
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Compiled Comments: Online Comment Forms, Emails and Voice Messages
I got few suggestions:
1. Allow ambassador drivers to hire second driver.
2. Issue next TTL plates to drivers waiting in the list. Their should be a system that a driver who
driven for city for five, ten, twenty years should get their own plate. So that atleast at one point
in his life in this free country in this free city they can be free people. Thanks
There should be no agents.Owners should lease the plates directly to the drivers. one driver
should lease only one plate not more than one plate.Lessee should must drive one shift and
hire second driver for second shift. Ambassadors plates should converted to standard plates to
create more jobs and bring more plates for drivers.Converting ambassadors plates in to
standard plates will also help to manage the shortage of standard plates.
Thanks for inviting the DO1 drivers on 17th October at 888 Don Mills road.
More than 1000 drivers' participation has proved that we are very much concerned and
worried about the taxi industry's today situation. We really have good hopes and appreciate
your efforts for keeping the middleman / garages away from this business which are really
sucking our blood.
I have one suggestion;
We really need a new by-law which should bound a plate lessee to drive the cab as a full time
driver, if it happens, only drivers can lease a plate and garage owners can't change the picture.
Thanks in advance whatever you are doing for improving the situation of more than 7000
families of DO1 drivers.
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Compiled Comments: Online Comment Forms, Emails and Voice Messages
You guys should take a looke about an individual drivers .driver is the one who pays lot of lease
to the agents and on the top no one knows where that money goes and if anything happened
driver is the one who face everything
Hi I am a taxi driver from last 18 years,life has become miserable from last few years since the
rise in weekly leases by plate owners income is way less and lease takes away 70 percent of
income,I would like request to government to give us some relief.
I was surprised the day 17th. You have done very good. Thank you.
To do the improve this industry,good customer reputation,and services also helping driver
who's all the time at the road.
1. Taxi car should be minimum luxury.(Lincoln). Not like car I am driving which has different
kind door and other body parts.
2. Control the leased and rent, insurance.
3.keep track of revenue to all driver.owner and lesser.
4. Issue more car for limousine services only. Who can work with independent or under the taxi
company.
5. Computer system metering can log in or log out.(like Singapore taxi system.
6. Enforce all the law you by city.
To Issues more car would prevent others limos to get in the city.
Thank you again to listening us.
I have a few suggestions to bring in to your kind consideration.
1. Taxi stand and the number of taxis allowed should be reviewed, some new locations are
required in the city which are important locations and some places the allowed timings needs
to be reviewed.
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2. The cab leases are too high and there is no control of city on that while on the other hand the
cab business is lowering every day and gas price is higher, of course we can't demand to raise
the fares because it will further reduce the business.
3. The people having number of plates should be regulated.
4. There are no benefits for the driver community, health insurance, weekly holidays, sick
holiday etc.
5. it is pity that in case the driver is sick must pay the lease to the owner, where as if the cab is
broken and the driver is out of work there is no compensation to the driver.
6. The customers some time misbehave, does not pay, or call cabs and does not show up, when
the driver gets call from despatch lose his top position in the Q to pick up a customer, some
time when he is going to pick up the call finds a Flag on the way but he prefers to get the
customer who called the cab, he wasted time, gas, gets frustration, lose business but the
customer who did not show up suffers nothing.
7. DO1 Licensing fee should be reduced, and there should be some * (Star) grading, system on
taxi license, for the drivers performing good service having no complaints, no tickets from MLS.
I'm a existing taxi driver. I agree to open buy and sell for ' W ' and ' A ' plate.
I appreciate the intention to record DOI Driver's views by the Review Committee, though 2
hours is not enough to possibly register the ideas of over ten thousand individuals. I could not
participate personally because I am nursing a sciatic pain in my lower back and left leg. Walking
to and from the bus stop was absolutely impossible for me on October 17. However I filled out
the online survey but the form didn't represent all the changes I think important as a shift
driver.
1) Having stated my present health condition which might be caused by driving taxi for almost
18 years, I will like to suggest that the city creates UNEMPLOYMENT and RETIREMENT fund for
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taxi drivers. A $ 10 weekly contribution from each taxi driver can create a large fund that can
make a huge difference in their life. Such a change will reflect positively on their work. ( I can't
afford to pay $110 weekly for recommended acupuncture/chiropractor therapy at this time). A
taxi union cannot be expected to do this, but we know that it must be done. Hence the
city/ML&S should consider initiating such fund and maintaining it.
2) The terms of contract between Shift drivers, and Fleet-owners/Garage-operators/Individualowners should be laid out. This large segment of workers is not governed by any directives or
rules at the moment. There are no sick-days/holidays/vacation for drivers; owners are insecure
for losses to their vehicles and hike in insurance cost.
3) A compassion training must be included in the training program for taxi drivers, owners and
others directly involved. Despite all legislation, a lot depends on the judgement and attitude of
an individual during the course of work. In driving and customer-satisfaction, Toronto Taxi
industry can/should benefit from the body of knowledge and training that has the potential to
change the lives of city dwellers.
I understand that the above recommendations do not fit the body of report, the review has
produced so far. I apologize for not showing up. Thanks.
I appreciate ur hard work for review. There are few suggestions to decrease drivers expenses
and increase their income.
1. On taxi coupons or charges companies deduct 5% to 6% of total money if they want money
right away. After one month to two months of hold on money only companies give full amount
of money to only their members but garages always deduct money and give money to them.
This cost to the driver around $20 every week. This should not be allowed and driver should get
full amount each week.
2. On debit companies deduct $1 to $1.5 each transactions from their members or cab owners.
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Compiled Comments: Online Comment Forms, Emails and Voice Messages
Garages deduct $1 to 1.5 plus up to 10% of total money. This should stop and no body should
deduct more than bank price which is I think 10 cents per transaction. The driver should stop
deducting from customer and companies and garages should pay full amount to drivers. This
will save around $10 to driver each week and will bring more customers on back of cabs.
3. On visas companies deduct 6%. Garages deduct 10% from drivers. But driver cannot get
money from company only lessee of cab or owner can get money for companies. This should
stop and no body can deduct more than 2% of total money from drivers and should be paid
each weak without any hold to drivers. This will save around 10$ to drivers each week.
4. Companies should make sure to directly deposit money to their members if they want
instead of handing over checks to them and waiting of member drivers in hours in companies
office. Each member driver (lessee or owner) has to go minimum twice to get check from
company and wasting at least 8 hours of work. If there is drop off box of charges and money is
directly deposited to his account he can work at least 8 he's more on the road in month which
worth around 200$ in month.
5. Steeling of cab fares at each level should be stopped.
A. Companies steel the good fares more than $50 & up by having private cars and lemos with
PVR licence to give ride to there regular flat rate customers like insurance claims' parcels &
regular out of town fares who wants flat rates. This can be stopped by forcing them to use only
taxis and refuse to the customer if they can't serve through taxi or give to other taxi company.
They should not have lemons and cars with PVR insurance.
B. Steeling of business openly and on big time like uber company should be stopped
C. Steeling of fares big time by door mans at each hotels and given to limos and now they start
giving to private cars should be stopped forcefully.
D. Steeling of business by other cities cab should be stopped especially on weekend night and
regularly too. Some companies like royal taxi and city taxi has other companies in Vaughn
Richmond hill and Markham. These companies give their Toronto business to other city cars
when they don't have Toronto cars and make more profits on other cities companies.
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Compiled Comments: Online Comment Forms, Emails and Voice Messages
I think u will consider seriously this and driver income will go at least 200$ week up by just
stopping this steeling business by arranging just one honest and hardworking taxicab business
inspector and giving him power.
I am owner' driver' agent and lessee at same time.
I wish to keep my information secret.
Subject : Taxi Reviews 2013
Respected Madam,
I am a Taxi Cab Shift Driver I have following problems and concerns:
1. The average Lease $ 600.00 Day Shift and $700.00 Night Shift. This is too much.
2. They are charging 7 to 10 % commission on Debit, Credit and Company Charges where as
Brokerage charging 3% only on vise, not on debit, company charges rest they put in their
pockets.
3. There should be no agent, garage or any fleet owner because most of the time, they take
back cab without any notice then hard to find another cab due to insurance problem.
4. The owner should driver taxi full time.
5. The Toronto License Driver should get own license plate like (Ambassador). That
Programme was excellent because Driver have full freedom. This is not fair for other drivers. It
means City make Ambassador drivers as king and enjoy the full rights(no agent, garage and
fleet owner) whereas shift driver first struggle for lease after that he make his money. Some
time driver does not make money due to slow business. That’s why shift drivers life is very hard.
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6. Limo should not pick airport run from the city. (Limo is not Taxi). Especially Airport Limo
because they pick run from City vicinity whereas they do not allow to Toronto Cab Driver to pick
run from airport. This is totally unfair for Cab Driver. The Toronto Taxi Cab Driver should allow
to pick up from Pearson airport as well.
7. The Toronto Taxi Driver should be covered in case of accident. This is very important for
driver. We haven’t any safety regarding insurance point of view.
8. There should be more Cab Stand in the city.
10. The Toronto Hotel doorman takes cookie money from
Cab Driver ($ 10.00 for airport
run). This should be free of cost.
My above mention humble submission clear shows that how many people or agents sucking
the blood of cab driver and making the living life of driver very hard.
Subject : Comments on Taxi Reviews
Being a Taxi Cab Shift Driver I have following problems or observations.
1. City of Toronto producing too many cab drivers, due to this hard to find a cab from garage or
fleet owner. Whereas garage owners have too many options to choose driver and demanding
more lease from driver. The License Driver has long queue to getting taxi from garage or fleet
owner. That’s why average Lease $ 600.00 Day Time and $700.00 Night Time. This is too much.
2. They are charging 7 to 10 % commission on Debit, Credit and Company Charges where as
Brokerage charging 3% only on vise, not on debit, company charges rest they put in their
pockets.
3. There should be no agent, garage or any fleet owner because most of the time, they take
back cab without any notice then hard to find another cab due to insurance problem.
4. The owner should driver taxi full time.
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5. The Toronto License Driver should get own license plate like (Ambassador). That Programme
was excellent because Driver have full freedom. This is not fair for other drivers. It means City
make Ambassador drivers as king and enjoy the full rights(no agent, garage and fleet owner)
whereas shift driver first struggle for lease after that he make his money. Some time driver does
not make money due to slow business. That’s why shift drivers life is very hard.
6. Limo should not pick airport run from the city. (Limo is not Taxi). Especially Airport Limo
because they pick run from City vicinity whereas they do not allow to Toronto Cab Driver to pick
run from airport. This is totally unfair for Cab Driver. The Toronto Taxi Cab Driver should allow
to pick up from Pearson airport as well.
7. The Toronto Taxi Driver should be covered in case of accident. This is very important for
driver. We haven’t any safety regarding insurance point of view.
8. There should be more Cab Stand in the city.
10. The Toronto Hotel doorman takes cookie money from Cab Driver ($ 10.00 for airport run).
This should be free of cost.
My above mention humble submission clear shows that how many people or agents sucking
the blood of cab driver and making the living life of driver very hard.
No agent no middle man , direct lease to a driver .
First of all, shift drivers are suffering a lot, because they do not have any social life to
contribute their views and strenght to build a Canadian nation. The reason is that they do not
have enough time to think of that.Because they have to drive 84 hours (7days *12 hours)a week
to make $500/- average per week,which is almost less than $6.00 per hour.Daily life use things
are getting expensive and very hard to meet.
Why are they working hard : becuase they do not want to be borden on Canadian economy
going on social assistance as a lot of other people have done while working on cash by not
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paying a single penny tax to city or Canadian governonment.Reason is that 80% of taxi drivers
are highly educated.
Following recommendations should be done for improving the Taxi industry and shift drivers
1. No middle man and brokerage
2. One licence holder and one plate
3. No hundred plates on one licence
4. Weekly shift should be $350/- or less for day driver and $450/- or less night driver
5. Insurance should be controled by city not by private agents
6. Smart meter should be installed so that HST could be collected and paid fairly
7. CPP,EI and ferderal tax should be collected and T4 issued
8. Plate owner should drive taxi at least 40 hours a week or one shift
9. Plate owner's income should be from taxi driving not from other source
10. At least one day off for shift driver without shift payment
11. Lease/rental legal receipt should be issued to shift driver by plat owner showing HST
12. Shift driver should have right to go on EI or PARENTAL leave when they are sick or injured
Above stated recommendations are very important to improve the taxi industry and shift
drivers's life,if these are not done,shift drivers could be part of those people who are borden on
economy near future.
To the Honorable Mayor of Toronto, Mr. Rob Ford
Dear Sir, I am ***. I am one of the organizers who send an email to you with 408 driver opinion
signatures and our demand letter. Due to a short period of three days we were not able to
contact all the drivers. I received a letter from Tracey Cook Executive Director Municipal
Licensing and Standards City of Toronto about a meeting that took place today, yesterday. Due
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to this with such a short period of notice many drivers were present including many of my
friends. Today I went to that meeting but could not enter the hall because it was already full of
drivers and there were hundreds of drivers who were not able to enter the mall. The entire
parking lot was full and there was no space to park cars. Here are some pictures of the event.
My family situation
For a month and half I was not able to find a taxi or lease.I am also waiting for a long time for
ambassador plate and I am on the waiting list. I having a difficult time with a family of five. One
of my son has a serious illness and disability. One of my cousin tried to visit Canada. He called to
visit but unfortunately, due to being unemployed I would have not been able to meet expenses
because of this situation, I was not able to invite him. There is a picture of him, my three sons
and I. There is also another picture of him (left side), a friend and a councilor of his (right side).
I am not the only one in this difficult situation, there are many drivers. The present rent in
garage for a weekly night shift is over $700 and weekly day shift is $600.
Please look into our situation and our demands
Thank you very much about the Taxicab consultation for D01 driver review. We are also very
grateful and happy that Tracey Cook came out and informed us about another meeting
arrangement and for all her efforts.
I work and where the money goes?
I been in taxi industry for 20 years as driver
I been in
waiting list for 13 years
The best way
to fix the problem of. Driver. Is. To. Issue more ambassador plate
simply You. Pushing out. All the. Meddle mans in this industry.
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And you bring more professional driver. To city which they would
give better service to public And bring the coast of operating lower
and I thing is win win situation for every body. Driver public. And
licensing So please get red of. Agent and any other middle man
And. Instant of allowing the ambassador driver to have shift driver
you should issue more ambassador plat o at list realist the one they
sitting on the shelves.
Individual driver that has
he's own license to operate they will give better service to
industry and public thank you for hear me out
Please regulate the taxi lease in a reasonable price that a driver can work with peace of
mind
And provide a good customer service with good driving meaner.
My main concerns are; should not be agent, the lease fee is too high and the
city need to control it, plus flexible hours I mean restrictions and or limits,
police is not fair with taxi drivers, and more safety measures for taxi driver .
Owners should drive cabs.
You should introduce driver bill of right
Garage owners use disrespectful words for us
Garage system should be resisted
Brokerage keeps yelling and harassing us
Lease is going up 675+hailo charges almost 50 if we earn 300/ week
One legal off per week
Free dispatch zone in downtown
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No more radio dispatch
Diff. In meter starting amount of pick up and dispatched orders
Hotels should be discouraged to use their illegal limos
Taxi stand in front of hotels
Taxi driving in Toronto,feel like I work like a horse,eat like a dog and sleep like chicken.
It was good to see about 2000 drivers show up in the review meeting today. Almost everybody
I talked to in the meeting had one single opinion,
" ELIMINATE TAXI LICENSE LEASING IN THE CITY AND FINISH THE TAXI LEASING AGENTS"
It can be started as finishing the agents first then the plate leasing. It will finish the garages and
it will promote owner operators which is the business by definition. Please go through some
other in depth thoughts in the attached sheets.
Thank you *** and the other *** for you support on this basic human rights issue, see details in
the attached sheet.
Agents making easy money from shift drivers.
Too much leases for cab drivers.
Garages charges extra money form drivers in case of accident.
Garages charges extra money on debit, credit and company vouchers.
No job security, no holidays, no health benefits.
After reading the new reform and communicating with several other taxi drivers I would like to
say that there is a large support for the new reform. The new reform increases the opportunity
for drivers to work for themselves along with other incentives.
Thank you for taking the time to read this
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Tracey cook i just want say tank you for this chans i like to rite this my be you don't know
we pay for taxi rant a week 650-700 + serves charge 8 to 10 % so . be cos off this the end off
the year i couldn't file my tax properly for government i pay this amount off many ,the Persian
i don't know so this peopel thay take averting from as and thy don't pay tax for the government
. as a driver i am happy dealing the city off Toronto taxi licensing as owner operator . tank
you
This is 4:00 am I cannot sleep because City of Toronto asked me the problem I am facing while
working as Taxi Driver for More than 20 years on regular basis.
This time I feel that that I am full of looser, anyway I am going to write some suggestion to get
little bit improvement in my like.
Thanks to the review committee for paying First time that much attention to the problems of
the regular DO1 Driver.
I am going to highlight some problem and their solution that might be help me to reduced the
problem and improve my daily life.
This time DO1 driver life is very miserable worst than the working animals.
TAXI PARKING SPOT : We got not enough spot to sit, and from everywhere kicked out with
really disrespected way.
City can do where ever the Disability Parking is they have to make at least one or two taxi stand
too.
INSURANCE : Due to very expensive insurance some time Middleman Taxi provider gave the
driver taxi without his name on Insurance.
INCREASE OF LEASE : Permanent Regular driver paying too much lease due to the driver who
have other source of income like Disability so on they don't care about increase.
GST/HST : There are lot of drivers who don't have GST number and when City of Pickring and
City of Markhan Impose that law they rush to City of Toronto and cause increase of our lease.
Therefore I request the city please please follow the rule of other neighbour cities.
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WORKING HOURS : No one rent you taxi less than 84 hours per week. Now all week driver is
struggling to make the shift money for owner. It should be against the law for human being to
work 7 days 12 hour each day all around the year without any vacation.
Family Issues : Now lot of driver got so many family issues and some of them that much
mentally disturbed to perform their duties accordingly. Nobody care for that.
HEALTH ISSUES : No one care about the health of poor taxi driver which cause due to increase
of pressure on him from family, and the City Agent Plate owner/lessee.
TAXI RENT DIFFERENCE : In City of Toronto the Taxi Weekly Taxi rent is from 450.00 to 750.00.
This is really injustice with the driver, while the expense of the Taxi is same.
DISPATCH SYSTEM : All the taxi companies have different dispatch system, They try to cheat the
honest driver from that systems. City must make a law for new APP despatch system so every
driver get treated fairly.
NO VACATION : This is the only one job in Canada which has no Vacation. but please at least
make it for no more than 60 hour job per week.
I am a taxicab driver since year May 2006 and driving taxi full time in the morning shift . My 08
years experience while on the road I have learnt a lot.
a)
Sometimes I have faced fare jumpers. 2 times I went to 23 division police station reported
but not get back my money. All together I have lost hundreds of dollars. I strongly suggest that
city must introduced aADVANCE PAYMENT SYSTEM for cab drivers.
b)
As I am driving a rented cab, I am paying a high amount $ 525.00 plus 6% on debit credit
transactions every week to the cab owner. Cab’s renter drivers are working very hard but not
getting good return of their hard work. If city back all plates and get hired driver this is good for
drivers and their families.
c)
Some time we get aggressive passengers using bad language and threatening drivers.
There should be glass wall between driver and passenger.
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d)
As I am a full time cab driver for the last 08 years still facing financial problem when cab is
in the workshop for maintenance etc. I strongly suggest that city should issued plates to the
regular/full time cab drivers that at least they have peace of mind regarding their jobs and get
some time for health issue like (Gym).
e)
Lots of middle men (plate agents, Garages, plates owner etc are making lot of money
without driving cabs. This must be removed and a fair system should be introduced.
1)Role of sub-agent maybe eliminated.
2)Shift amount maybe fixed by city.
3)Owners must drive one shift.
4)All the cabs must be equipped with a tracking chip to collect data.eg:drivers GST
number,amount of GST collected and total amount during one calender year.
5)The tracking device must show the drivers SIN number so welfare seeker maybe
apprehended .
6)The chip data will show the total income and GST collected by drivers so that the driver must
pay his/her due share of taxes.
7)The owners must give receipts to drivers for weekly payment that wil show his income and
pay his due share of taxes.
8)The proposed transition to a TTI license(up to 20 and 50 )would be a slow process and
transition should be limited between 5 to 10 years or to the expiry date of current vehicle used
as taxi cab.
One model can be
a)A cab being driven by owner and one shift driver.
OR
An owner can lease his cab license plate to one agent who must drive with another shift driver.
10)All the drivers must have disability insurance/WSIB.
11)All the owners must have buisness insurance.
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I am fully agree with the suggestions and recommendations made by the team. I want to add
two things here:
In case of lost or left item in the cab, now the driver is responsible to return the item back to
the owner at his/her own expense or to the nearest police station. The problem is sometime
owner is at the other end of the city and it costs driver couple of hours to go and return the
item. If driver goes to the police station the police gives driver $120 ticket for not following the
by laws that state that driver should check cab for the customer belongings etc etc. In this
scenario the customers are loosing too many valuable stuff and drivers are just throwing away
in the garbage etc.
Please change this by law and let both driver and customer make their agreed arrangements to
return the item and police should not ticket the driver for his/her honesty.
In refusal of service to the customer there should be one more reason added. Every driver
changes shift between 4 to 6 AM/PM. Between this time he/she should be allowed to refuse
the customer that is going far or going out of way of the driver's place of changing shift or
driver does not have time to serve that customer.
Thanks
i am driving toronto cab for last 3 years , i think is very tough industry
especialy for shift drivers cause , long hours with the pressure of high
leases , the fleet owners , who hold 70 0r more than 100 cabs , they start
black mailing to increase the car leases .
i think there should not middle man cause they are not paying tax and making more than 100
thousands on monthly basis. anyhow , pls review something in favour of shift drivers.
thanks .
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I would like to voice my opinion and submit an idea. I believe that the lease for shift drivers is to
high. I believe that a solution to this is if all regular plates are taken over by Municipal Licensing
Standards and then are rented by eligible drivers, for example I myself have been a full-time
taxi driver for over 20 years.
Thank you for taking consultations from driver and its really good for driver. I am one of taxi
driver in Toronto and but I am unable to attend the meeting, so with this email I included some
idea about taxi reviews.
1.
<!--[endif]-->No more ambassador taxi, if possible take from them and if if not transfer all
ambassador to accessible taxi and its will be mandatory, if the ambassador owner keep plate
with them or if they don’t agree give to other full time driver they can willingly to provide
accessible vehicles.
2.
<!--[endif]-->About standard plate very straight forward one plate for one owner and plate
owner must be a full time driver and owner provide the vhichels
No more agents.
4.
<!--[endif]-->Make taxi industry for taxi driver and its will serve better to customer.
5.
<!--[endif]-->Taxi insurance regulated by city, not insurance companies.
6.
<!--[endif]-->Need to driver bill of right.
7.
<!--[endif]-->Make a hotline for driver that driver can complain for other driver refusing
short fare , scooping etc., then driver respect each other.
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8.
<!--[endif]-->Create more taxi stand.
9.
<!--[endif]-->Police should not ignore driver s problems.
10. Create a smooth driver and customer relations.
11. No more radio cab and its annoying for customer and driver and not safe drive for driver.
12. City can fix the price for rent that daily, weekly or monthly and really city should monitor
the issues.
These are only my opinion and I think its will good for taxi industry.
hi I am a D01 driver for the last 19 years my biggest concern about the industry is the shift
driver like me who is driving to make a living every single day for 12 hrs shift which is at least
over 70 percent of toronto taxi drivers. we are the one who put our effort to keep the industry
alive.mean while we are in the worst situation .we pay between $550.00 to $650.00 a shift. we
don't have a holiday . if we took an off day we have to pay for that day. if there is a problem
with a car instead of fixing the car we mostly forced to drive the way it is otherwise the garages
give the car for somebody else. what I am suggesting the city should eliminate the garages and
the middle man and let those every day drivers get an opportunity to lease a plate and let city
continue issuing taxi plates for the drivers who is waiting for long time.I have a big hope the city
will understand and solve the problem of a hard working every day drivers. I wish the city will
understand ours and our families stress.
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This proposal is patently absurd. There is no data on the number of people who require
accessible taxicabs in Toronto. None. Yet the costs to taxicab owners would be greatly
increased and keep them in debt for many years. The City has not announced any financial
support regarding this proposal. All costs for any of the new features proposed by Taxi
Research Partners would be the responsibility of the driver/owner. The City has not conducted
an economic impact study for the taxi industry that we are aware of. Taxi drivers are suffering
financially in the current economic climate. To add extra costs for such a sweeping change on
the grounds of inclusivity passes the burden to a very small segment of society. Taxicab drivers
should not be forced to get themselves into additional debt to provide accessibility for a small
percentage of users without any compensation from municipal authorities.
Hi, thanks for email. I just know my name is on the driver`s list and I have accessible license
from city of Toronto and I need my plate to work and support my life. I hope this time city is
serious and does something for drivers. We need help from the city.
I m shift driver I want say no more garages please finish them owner must drive all plate should
be standard taxi rent not more than 300 hundreds a week
Dear taxi review team
According to Dr. Cooper report city of Toronto does need more taxies or drivers,so please keep
in mind if you are thinking to give second driver to the Ambassador taxies.
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To : City of Toronto Taxi Review
SUBJECT A Drivers MEDICAL Condition
Dear Toronto Taxi Review :
My question to your operation is this : What happens to a long time licenced
driver that has the following medical condition : After many years of driving
and
seeing a : Orthopedic Specialist Surgeon that the doctor has carefully
stated the the driver is well enough to driver a vechial BUT with his current
medical
condition with a complete paid for medical report summary that the added stress
of handling wheel chairs is NOT recommended do to the following conditions of
bad
back and knee problems from surgery :
What would be the status of these drivers with regards to this whole report of
having Wheel Chair Vans as taxis . What do these drivers do ?
Looking forward to your return reply to this very important question .
Dear Taxi review team
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Instead of thinking to give second driver to ambassdor you should give chance to the driver in
driver waiting list,ether you should give tham plate those are on shelve or avilable from retire
ambassdor
Thanking you
Someone might be presenting you with a survey that indicates Toronto
taxi passengers don't want wheelchair-accessible taxis with tracking
technology and well-trained drivers.
I recently participated in a survey from Angus Reid, which included
questions regarding taxis in Toronto. I normally can't tell who
sponsored their surveys, but in this case the questions were so slanted
that it seemed more like an ad than an actual survey. I
submitted feedback to Angus Reid complaining about the obvious bias in
the questions.
I don't remember the exact wording, but it was something like, "Would
you support the proposed changes in taxi licensing, accessibility, and
vehicle tracking devices if it would hurt safety by forcing experienced
drivers to retire and be replaced with unexperienced and unconfident
drivers, if it would cause taxi prices to skyrocket, and if it would
force you to ride in inefficient vehicles that murder the environment".
If anyone presents survey numbers to you, I recommend you ask to see the
original questions posed in the survey.
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SUBJECT : Wheel Chair Taxi Vans
After carefully reading all the material , here are my thoughts : 1. Fase in
over a period of several years a maximum of 10 % of all Toronto taxi s be
wheel chair Vans
Why ? The demand will be meet over this period of time and much easrier to sell
the idea to operators ; the cost of the vans with gas and insurance will be
high and a hard sell
so maybe a small extra charge for using one ? Have the meter the same but a
small sur charge to help pay the costs to the operator . Also their are a lot
of customers who do not
like riding in vans and drivers who want to sur charge the customer for the van
use creating problems re the fare . Older adults can not step into the vans .
QUESTION :
Will the operator of these vans be required to take a course on wheel chairs
and if so who pays for the course ?
IF the city does go to the route of having ALL Toronto taxis wheel chair
wans > This will create a great PROBLEM : Being a black market for bandit
unlicenced
no insurance taxis on the road taking fares at what ever rate they can rip the
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customer off . I can remember in the 1st time of Wheel Trans taxi drivers
using their private cars to take wheel trans fares and scaring off a lot of women not knowing
what they where getting into wow .
I am a holding a DO1 licence and driving a cab we must change the current system specially the
monopoly of some companies (dispatch ) who are the MLS with in MLS treating drivers like
personal slaves. garage owners who are charging 7 to 10 % to drivers on debit or credit
that's why driver don't prefer to accept credit or debit. even garage owners don't want to
maintain the cabs coz they don't drive and don't use them if driver ask them to maintain they
simply said left the garage and drive with some one else and increasing the lease every year
without any reason. to me owner of the plate must drive a shift to smooth the system.
I is requesting on behalf of many drivers a little time to speeak up about current issues and
change.
If this meeting is held only for drivers , we don't want any brokerages and fleet owners to be
present, to look up for drivers and fired them after exposing them.
And there are some forces trying to
1) Delay this meeting.
2) Send the drivers only who can speak for their interests.
3) Trying their best that Ml&S won't reach the shift driver to understand real problem of
industry and drivers.
As citizens of Canada we keep rights to explain the issues and freedom of speech.
I participated lot of driver meetings but no body noted these issues. Parcel delivery charges
should be increased from minimum $ 10 to 15 bcoz of high parking prices and rush hour in
downtown $ these prices have not been increased for more than 10 years.
Extra charge for each person more than 4 should be 5 instead of $2 bcoz of high gas
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consumption of vans and more traveling distance to pick up customers.
There should be certain dress code for drivers to drive taxi in Toronto.
I noticed that you are trying your best to find the opinions/suggessions of Shift Drivers. In this
connection you have given them several opportunities earlier during consultations. Also you
have mailed out to each and everyone taxireform survey as well.
After all what are the real reasons that you are not able to get shift drivers to participate in
taxireforms consultations. Here are some reasons I can bring to your notice that why shift
drivers are unable to give time to participate in taxireform consultations;
1. Shift drivers have no time for any thing due to following reasons;
i. Shift drivers have to pay heavy shift charges approximately $600.00 to $750.00 to
garage owners or owner operators for a single shift for 6 or 7 days a week;
ii. Drivers who are renting full week (both shifts for 7 days a week) are being charged
from $1000.00 to $1100.00 a week (in other word almost over $4000.00 plus gas
money
$40.00 a day and for a month is $1200.00 approximately);
iii. Drivers renting taxi plates and using their own cars have following costs associated;
a. Taxi license plate rental is between $1500.00 to $2000.00 per month;
b. Taxi insurance for a single driver is $6000.00 to $10,000.00 a year;
c. Car maintenance cost varies and depends drivers use due to heavy financial
expenses pressure;
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d. If driver cause any accident in a year driving its going to be extra major expense;
e. Licensing fee, taxi plate sticker renewal, taxicab provincial plate sticker etc. costs;
f. Parking or other traffic violation tickets cost;
There are so many other hidden expenses for the shift drivers to perform his/her job and I have
explained a few reasons of shift drivers non-participation in consultation and especially
taxidrivers have no family life due to these pressuures.
Due to above explained a few reasons of shift drivers non-participation in consultation I
strongly recommend the following method to adopt and it will work and it will be successful to
obtain shift drivers opinions;
1. Prepare a questionnaire to ask shift drivers over the phone;
2. Hire a few phone operators a few days;
3. Provide the phone operators a list of shift drivers list of names and phones numbers
and
their taxi license numbers to confirm;
4. Phone operators record their answers to each questions;
This is the way you can can get their voices heard or participated in consultations. Now garage
owners and agentswill use some drivers to participate inthe consultation hours you have
annoounced by giving them shift discounts and other appreciation time money and will be
abused the system.
I also want to remind you that the same garage/fleet owners, agents and taxi brokerages were
the reasons to abuse the taxi industry system and drivers rights to hold/announced the 1998
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taxireform and still is the same reasons to hold and announce the 2012 taxireforms. Both time
garage /fleet owners, agents and taxibrokers are the abusers of taxi industry system.
These people must be stopped to ruin drivers and their family lives. City has responsibility to
control by introducing and enforcing the laws. If they are not stopped now then they will never
be able to stop in future.
All most end of the review I am not sure how much you could change form our input from this
consultation.
First of all as a driver I feel so happy after so long somebody come forward to change the
industry. I am driving almost 17 years full time 7 days 12 hours shift to make my living slowly
slowly the people involve inthis industry put us in a slavery position . when the city raise the
meter price with in weeks garages and owners increase our lease. slowly slowly taxi company's
increase their dues. put all the cost in the drives head even you take day off or not we have to
pay the shift.
Now you working towards final report. I read the frame work you posted in the website. it's has
lot's of nice things for the cab drivers. now you had few meetings with owners and
ambassadors.
I am not sure how far you deviate from the original frame work but I still want put some input if
this help you to change better way.
1. I am not sure cab insurance went so high now garages started increasing shift weekly
725(night) , 625(day)
2.No body buying or selling any plates in case as the wish of the owners if this review didn't do
anything plate price reach the highest point and our shift money will go to the highest point.
3.We don't need the agents. Only wee need Owner---driver-----customer relationship.
4.Rid off the garage system is very important all the abuses start form there. Unless licences
them moinitor them ,
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5. Plate lease please consider some thing about that. 3years ago only 1000$ now it jumb to
2000$ with out any reason only it's greed.
6.Owners , Garages, agents, company's everybody really fighting against any changes you bring
in they want to keep this slavery system. even they
collect money for lawyers and lobbyists. Hopefully you able to face all the and find a solution
we can make enough money and get home little early.
All my blessing from my heard to support your changes.
I have sent my opinion. To solutions all this problem are let the driver to make the money
they're work for not the lesser or owners.
For example. Monday to Sunday average book on the meter. 180.00. My cost is 83.00 for rent,
35.00 for gas. 10.00 for food. Rest of money look at home. But owner are fighting with traffic or
bad customers or not paying for tickets. Also they're not working 12h day. But they're making
money more than us.
I would support the ambassador to share their car but can't sale their plates. Also city should
control rental of the car.
Thanks for your information unfortunately I have no private car and also work whole night so
unable to attend the meeting, I can only say that the Garage Owner make our life very
miserable. They really sucking our blood badly so now its going to be very hard for us to survive.
The rent for one shift 7 days goes to 650.00, Gass price gone up, Bars are getting close down.
You can believe it or not last three days I did not cover the expense of Car and Gass After
driving 3 days I put $40.00 from my weekend money.
If you adopt some procedure which help us meet our daily needs will be really appreciated.
Thanks : I am almost going to cry.
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Capping the lease and shift rates are the only solution this reform can do some good thing for
the drivers.
i would like to add few suggestions in to review process I am sure they're already in
consideration.
Weekly lease of a Taxi cab paid by a shift driver should be regulated & controlled by city of
Toronto as lease is way too high. Day shift lease is around 550$ and night shift drivers are
paying over $700 per week.
Taxi plate monthly rent should be controlled by city of Toronto as the plate rent is about $1800
a month now.
Garage drivers should be insured and registered with relevant insurance policy as momentarily
80% of garage drivers aren't insured at all.
Embassidors drivers shouldn't be allowed to hire second driver to protect the amount of
businessbeing produced by city for existing cab driver's .
Pearson airport taxis and limos shouldn't be allowed to pickup passengers in City of Toronto
except those who has city of Toronto plates. This will help to protect Toronto Taxi cab drivers
business.
Meter starting rate should be reduced by $1.
Toronto taxi cab drivers must have Grade 12 diploma or equellent qualifications.
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foreign academics degrees or diplomas should be verified by relevant authorities this process
will bring Some professionalism and quality to cab driver work place and indeed improved
customer service.
thankyou for the opportunity.
1. please do not leave out the 7500 plus shift drivers, who are hard working and victim of the
system. the review framework should look out to those individuals who are on the road 7 days
a week, yet straggle to pay their rent due to rising rental fee.
2. despite the continues complaint by Ambassador drivers, I believe that is the only way to have
decent chance for all drivers to have a fair shake of the market. as one exits the industry
someone who served the city diligently should get a chance to own a plate as long as he or she
is in the industry. Ambassadors claim they are short changed, NOT TRUE!!! if their current
ownership is not suiting them they can change a position with a shift driver who pays 700 per
week for a single shift.
3. the public is better served with a cleaner car and that only can be served by a single operator
Ambassador system, many ambassador drivers do not even operate the taxi the minimum
amount of required hours as the are busy working for TTC and other business sector; the only
reason they are holding the plate is in the hope of the plate would be a standard one and they
are trying to cash in $300,000.00. this would be a complete injustice for shift drivers who are
waiting for so many years to have a decent opportunity in the business by having an
ambassador plate. The Ambassador plate owners they are doing very well economically as it
has been seen they are sustaining a family of 4 to 8 and own a million dollar plus house, that is
only with one income. all the factor added you can only be the judge.
4. the shift drivers or as you call as D01 licensee kept quite in this process
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a/ because we do not want to be on spot light so we will be kicked out of our garage due to
conflict of interest with fleet owners.
b/ Since we cannot afford the financial burden by loosing a shift or two work hours would put
us in a financial crisis
c/ the most important reason of all is that, WE FEEL NO ONE WOULD LISTEN TO US AS WE ARE
NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO CHALLENGE THE PLATE AND FLEET OWNERS
5. the frame work is not to improve the industry at all, forcing the owners put a $65,000 worth
of car is going to force them add rental fee on the drivers, at the end the cost is sent to the shift
driver who is straggling day in and out to meet the daily rental fee minimum. Instead increase
the number of accessible plates on the road, by that the people in need of accessible service
will have taxi on demand as we have enough operating vehicles to serve them
6. Regulate and enforce the law many ambassador drivers are holding on the plate without
meeting the minimum required hours, many accessible driver who are working for different
institute like TTC are not at all driving the taxi at all instead they are renting them to the fleet
owners. and it is very true that the licensing and standard office is informed about this, yet the
officers are reluctant to enforce such an ILLEGAL action. these all adds up for the shift driver to
not have a chance to own his or her plate for the duration that we are in the industry
OPERATING.
7. please clear those owners from owning the plate without living in this country let alone in
Ontario
8. the Dr cooper report, in regards of increasing a taxi plate is based on the dead hours where
there is no business. the hard winter days, rainy days, club closure time, morning rush hour,
afternoon rush hours e t c are not considered on his report. so it is important not only to
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release the Ambassador plates on the shelf it is way over due the city needs to issue more
plates. It has been more than 10 years that no plate was issued. Considering those facts and
also the upcoming Pan american game we need to provide people with decent number of
plates.
final note: the silence of D01 drivers indicates a clear disappointment in the system
thankyou for the opportunity.
1. please do not leave out the 7500 plus shift drivers, who are hard working and victim of the
system. the review framework should look out to those individuals who are on the road 7 days
a week, yet straggle to pay their rent due to rising rental fee.
2. despite the continues complaint by Ambassador drivers, I believe that is the only way to have
decent chance for all drivers to have a fair shake of the market. as one exits the industry
someone who served the city diligently should get a chance to own a plate as long as he or she
is in the industry. Ambassadors claim they are short changed, NOT TRUE!!! if their current
ownership is not suiting them they can change a position with a shift driver who pays 700 per
week for a single shift.
3. the public is better served with a cleaner car and that only can be served by a single operator
Ambassador system, many ambassador drivers do not even operate the taxi the minimum
amount of required hours as the are busy working for TTC and other business sector; the only
reason they are holding the plate is in the hope of the plate would be a standard one and they
are trying to cash in $300,000.00. this would be a complete injustice for shift drivers who are
waiting for so many years to have a decent opportunity in the business by having an
ambassador plate. The Ambassador plate owners they are doing very well economically as it
has been seen they are sustaining a family of 4 to 8 and own a million dollar plus house, that is
only with one income. all the factor added you can only be the judge.
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4. the shift drivers or as you call as D01 licensee kept quite in this process
a/ because we do not want to be on spot light so we will be kicked out of our garage due to
conflict of interest with fleet owners.
b/ Since we cannot afford the financial burden by loosing a shift or two work hours would put
us in a financial crisis
c/ the most important reason of all is that, WE FEEL NO ONE WOULD LISTEN TO US AS WE ARE
NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO CHALLENGE THE PLATE AND FLEET OWNERS
5. the frame work is not to improve the industry at all, forcing the owners put a $65,000 worth
of car is going to force them add rental fee on the drivers, at the end the cost is sent to the shift
driver who is straggling day in and out to meet the daily rental fee minimum. Instead increase
the number of accessible plates on the road, by that the people in need of accessible service
will have taxi on demand as we have enough operating vehicles to serve them
6. Regulate and enforce the law many ambassador drivers are holding on the plate without
meeting the minimum required hours, many accessible driver who are working for different
institute like TTC are not at all driving the taxi at all instead they are renting them to the fleet
owners. and it is very true that the licensing and standard office is informed about this, yet the
officers are reluctant to enforce such an ILLEGAL action. these all adds up for the shift driver to
not have a chance to own his or her plate for the duration that we are in the industry
OPERATING.
7. please clear those owners from owning the plate without living in this country let alone in
Ontario
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8. the Dr cooper report, in regards of increasing a taxi plate is based on the dead hours where
there is no business. the hard winter days, rainy days, club closure time, morning rush hour,
afternoon rush hours e t c are not considered on his report. so it is important not only to
release the Ambassador plates on the shelf it is way over due the city needs to issue more
plates. It has been more than 10 years that no plate was issued. Considering those facts and
also the upcoming Pan american game we need to provide people with decent number of
plates.
final note: the silence of D01 drivers indicates a clear disappointment in the system
First of all I like to thank you for inviting us again to give you input in regards of latest "taxi
review" . as you may have noticed D01 drivers kept quite during this process because we are
completely neglected in the recommendation that was put forward. the 7000 plus shift drivers
do not have as much financial power like the fleet owners, brokers, ambassador plate owners;
because we are being milked everyday by the daily /weekly rental fee that went out of control.
we can not even come as one group because we are afraid of being kicked out of the garage we
drive for since our opinion is completely against the owners and fleet operators even brokers.
we, the abused shift driver hoped for so long to get a chance of having our plate as long as we
are able to drive have been thrown out by the current proposal. as you already know the
Ambassador system is working very well; the drivers are much better of driving Ambassador
than renting per week, and the customers are served well with much cleaner car that is
operated by one driver. the positive economical impact to the Ambassador drivers can be seen
from the expensive house they are able to afford to buy since they became Ambassador
drivers, not to mention the kind of vehicle they manged to put on the road. the clean car they
are providing has been applauded by Dr Cooper report, however Dr Cooper failed to recognize
taxi can not be busy 24/7 there are so many times some customer had to wait 1 hour plus for
the taxi, during our bitter winter, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday after 1 am and also during
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rush hours. so we need more taxis on the road and the plates on the shelf have to be given out
for those on the waiting list.
The Ambassador plate owners are demanding to be regular plate owners due to the fact they
are hoping to sale the plate for 300K, the fleet operators do not want any plate to be added
because they want to keep enslaving the shift drivers. the city has to be wise and considerate to
all individuals who are involved in this business specially the shift drivers who drive 7 days a
week to barley make a minimum wage due to ever rising cost of renting a taxi. it comes down
how can we serve the people of Toronto and visitors best; first and most, the lease amount and
rent fee has to be regulated. second, those who own a taxi plate without living in this province
should be forced to give up the plate. Third, the ambassador plate program should continue as
the tribunal decision stated there was no discrimination against the ambassador owners, so the
program should continue slowly eliminating the regular plate ownership. forth; the new
decision to make all taxis accessible is absolutely wrong; instead issue more accessible plates
and stop allowing individuals or organizations to own more that a single plate. finally, enforce
the law, as many rules in regards of Ambassador and accessible operation are broken
deliberately for example; there are accessible owners who never drove their accessible taxi for
the past eight years as they are employed by TTC they leased their pate to taxi companies.
thank you
I am night shift driver and won't be able to attend that early meeting unfortunately. But my
suggestion to this committee is please try to eliminate the third party involvement and some
how bring th lease down which is 700 a week now and that's what I am paying even I am a
driver for 10 years , please try to solve these 2 problems which directly has impact on drivers
and try to have a night time meeting on weekdays around 8 to 10 pm we all be very thankful to
this committee
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What about the public? When are you going to consult the public on taxi cab standards. Your
recommendations do nothing for the general public.
There is a big problem with honking among Toronto cab drivers. We have a lot of condos in our
city that face on to streets and the public does not appreciate cab drivers honking to solicit
fares or when they slam on the horn because they are frustrated with traffic.
There is nothing about picking/dropping off fares in the middle of the street. You should only be
able to do this at a curb. It blocks traffic in an already traffic burdened city.
As being a cab driver my concern is that our lease increase again and it raise up to $700/week.
How come a shift cab driver can afford this raise and live his livelihood I hope the review
committee look over this problem and find a solution for that injustice from these middle man
and garages. Thanks
Thanks for arranging 2nd meeting just for Do1 Shift drivers we will be there to present our
serious issues. Thanks again
Hi,
I can't remember if I submitted an email on my father's behalf to state that it was his
suggestion to allow owners to own UP TO SIX plate/licenses PER FAMILY.
This allows the ability to build a business and focuses on opportunity for families by using the
'family' descriptor rather than the 'owner/driver/single licensee' etc.
Please note that for your input for the Taxi Review if there is still input accepted.
Thanks.
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To Whom It May Concern,
After completing the online survey and attending the in-person consultation, I just have some
additional comments/suggestions to provide. They are as follows:
1.) Currently many taxi drivers are leasing more than 5 license plates and my suggestion would
be that every driver can only lease one plate to provide all driver a fair opportunity to lease at
least one plate and it also allows for the system to be financially stable.
2.) Currently many ambassador taxi drivers lease taxi plates, as well. They should be bound by a
rule of either keeping their ambassador license or surrender that license and take a license
plate.
3.) Each licensed garage should only be allowed to lease approximately 20 taxi cabs at a time.
There are many garages that lease around 40-50 taxis. This will allow for fair opportunity to the
persons on the waiting list for a license plate.
4.) In connection with the third comment, there should be a stop to new garages being licensed
as this would allow for the garages that have 40-50 taxis to open up another garage and
transfer their taxis there. Again, all for the reason of giving others a fair opportunity at leasing a
license plate and giving them a chance at being owners.
5.) The owner of the license plate must notify to the MLS whom they are leasing out their taxi
plate too. At the moment the MLS has no information about how many license plates one
person is leasing. When the MLS would know that a certain individual has leased one license
plate than that individual would not be able to lease another.
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6.) When a certain individual decides to surrender their leased license to the owner, the owner
must then notify the MLS of an available license plate for lease and that way the MLS can give
an opportunity to the individuals still on the waiting list. That way new drivers are given a
chance at leasing license plates however the MLS can then charge the lessee and the owner
their Fee-for-Service charge. This would allow for the MLS to have more control over the
industry, keep in check those individuals with many license plates and the system would not
allow for more rule-breakers or people that are not bound by laws at the moment.
7.) Currently the suggestion in the Taxi Reform is that the ambassador taxi drivers are allowed
to keep one extra driver for renting. My personal advise for this reform is to not allow the
ambassadors to keep an extra driver but rather issue out extra ambassador licenses. This way
there would be the same amount of drivers on the road. If this change can be taken in effect
than everyone will be benefited especially those who have waited very long on waiting lists.
Currently the ambassador drivers have double benefits because they drive their own shift and
rent out to an extra individual who also pay them a weekly rent for the car. It would only be fair
to give those on the waiting a fair chance and be benefited.
Thank you for taking the time out for reading my email and concerns,
Sincerely,
A Concerned Taxi Driver
I'm going to describe as the following matters:
The city of Toronto if make a new special law for the commercial drivers it would be better. A
commercial vehicle driver can get a traffic violation ticket very easily as the commercial vehicle
drivers are working on the wheels regularly. Sometime, they have no full control for their jobs,
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due to the reason of timeframe, emergency service, and customer request. A lot of things are
not always in the hand of a driver. Sometime drivers are victimize my the customer and the
dispatchers for the job.
I think it would be a fair justice if the on wheels employees are getting a little kind justice by the
authority of the law enforcement.
Also if they get any traffic violation ticket during the commercial vehicle driving period that
ticket or offence record should be remain under the commercial driver's licence, but that
should not be to register against the regular licence. Because that kind of ticket affect very
badly when they drive regular car too. The offence ticket should not be register longer than one
year for against the commercial licence.
The city of Toronto should make and update the new law and order according to the situation
and the condition of our society that nowadays is apps world. People are using Hailo Taxi, Uber
Taxi and some other taxicab through the Apps and the cab drivers are using of their smart
phone or device to get more customers by the apps. In that case the smart phone or device are
consider like a hand microphone or work equipments. Once a customer place an order through
the App for the taxi, the cab driver has to accept the order by the app of their smart phone. In
that situation the cab driver has to grab the phone to press the accept button, but not the
communication or text purpose.
Police are giving ticket by the section 78.1(1) Highway Traffic Act. Police should check the
purpose of using device and then issue the ticket according to the offence, but not to issue
ticket very randomly.
I think it is totally injustice for the driver, who get this kind of ticket in the working time. What is
the logic in between the hand hold working device and the hand hold microphone? I think there
is no difference in between both of them as both are working equipment devices.
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If city wants to improve the better service for the customers, they should make a new law for
the cab drivers. One taxi should be 3 shift or no one can not drive taxi more than 5/6 days in a
weekly. Taxi rent should be reasonable. The city has issued the taxi plates to the number of
people who are making money by the name of plate holder. If the city is decreasing the taxi
plate cost and taxi fare , and then taxi rent will be decrease. Customer will be more beneficial.
People don't have to wait a long time for the bus as the taxi fare is affordable. People will not
be too late for the work. If the people are beneficial, our society will be more beneficial in the
long run. City will get more tax from the people as people are more productive due the quick
cab service.
If the cab drivers are paying less tax, I think it is not injustice because they are not getting
overtime money, rather they are loosing money indirectly such as fare jumper, parking ticket,
traffic law violation ticket and accident cost, no sick call etc much more hidden things. Which
they can not claim to the Revenue Canada
If city wants to collect more tax or revenue from the cab driver, they should analyses the cab
business very carefully that in Ontario minimum wage is $ 10.25 hourly and overtime as well,
but the way cab driver are spending time on the road about 12 hours in a day. After pay off all
expenditure they are taking home only $ 50-80 averagely. If they work less hours it would be so
difficult to make money. Ultimately they are unable to work 12 hours full time regularly, but
they have to pay 7 days money for the cab rent. Cab drivers has no family life due to the 7 days
engagement.
I think many cab drivers will quit when city will collect accurate tax. Also more than 80%
people will not get the cab license, because who wants to bother with many other thing such as
dangerous life risk job, stressful, fear for accident, police ticket, court hassle, fare jumper,
customer sue, complain and all other unexpected things. If city increase taxi fare, the cab
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industry will be more worse and then citizen will be more sufferers ultimately our citizen and
the society will more looser. For the odd and dangerous job purpose, if the govt want to
enforce very strong and stick law. There will be worse consequence for the society.
As the commercial auto insurance and the regular auto insurance has the huge differences
policies that commercial insurance policy is not pass the record to the regular insurance
company. So that, commercial driver's licence and the regular driver's license should be
consider differently.
Disparity in the between of TTC bus drivers and some other drivers in the city of Toronto,
because TTC employee are getting high advantage from the authority due to the govt
employees and taxi drivers are not getting any kind consideration by the authority.
Keep in the mind that any people can make mistake during the work time, if that kind of errors
are considerable. Why not considerable anything for the cab drivers? Cab drivers are in the 7
days and 12 hours on the wheels and road. No recreation, no enough sleep and no enough rest.
if city of Toronto really want to do something for drivers following problems need to be solved
as soon as possible
1 stop scooping from hotels .
2 provide better insurance to Toronto taxi
3 plate owners should be allowed to lease the plate only they shouldn't be allowed to have an
agent also they should be bound to leave the plate with one driver up to expire date of the car
4 nobody should be allowed to take more than one or two plates on rent at a same time .
5 in city of Toronto any company providing fares should not be allowed to give business to any
car witch is not plated as a taxi
if city is trying to help drivers these changes need to mad if city hate the people who invested
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in our city purchased taxi plates then they don t have to listen me if city want to ruin our
investment they need to think twice when I came to Toronto I was only one now I have my wife
and my 5 children we are a family of 7 how anybody or any one from our friends will have
courage to invest in our city I believe it is city s responsibility to protect businesses and
investments not for my plate but for the city s future city should protect the value of my plate if
city is having problems why plate price is gone up they should compare it with tim hortons
housing in Toronto imagine how I will believe on city and buy condo in downtown.
by the way I am a cab owner and a driver . giving free plates to ambassador s is same like you
buy a condo for 350.000 s and other people get it free so you can decide
I am a DO1 driver, very much highly appreciated to the city of toronto for taking this time for
us, as you are well aware of the whole sutuation, no need to explain, all I request is to give us
your best decision so as our lives become slighltly better. Right now, we have lease money and
some grocery money at the end of week, thats all, thank you for your consideration,
anticipating a favourable result for the city and for all the taxicab drivers,, thank you very much.
I am a constituent of your ward. I am writing in regards to the Taxicab Review.
I am deeply concerned that merely 3.5 percent of cabs in Toronto are accessible – and that
many of them cannot be booked in a timely manner, as many of them are already contracted
out to other services.
No Torontonian should have to wait an undue period of time for an accessible cab. We need
substantially more accessible cabs on our streets, today.
As such, I am asking that you support mandated accessibility for all new licenses for all new
licenses, starting January 1st 2014. This is not only in in keeping with the letter of the
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Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, but also its spirit. I also would like to see taxi
fairs to be euqal and fair for all users. It is not fair that persons with disabilities are charged flat
rates regardless of how far you are going, we should all be charged equally.
A proud Torontonian, I am excited to welcome the world to the 2015 Pan Am Games. As the
City recognizes, more needs to be done to increase taxicab accessibility by then.
Let’s be ambitious. Let’s be fair.
Let’s mandate accessibility for new taxicab licenses.
Hi Ms Fletcher please kindly pass it on to the review team.
As they say "the proof is in the pudding", more than 1000 shifts drivers show up at the October
18th 2013 meeting, I was one them and unfortunately I didn't have a chance to have my voice
heard. As you can see the shifts drivers are the one who are at the mercy of plate owners, taxi
cabs company, insurance, garages. As I stipulated on my previous email something has got to
change but not at expense of city nor the shift drivers.
I'm sure by now the city has heard all kinds brouhaha from stakeholders and Ambassadors.
I believe in my opinion and the case review that I have read from Ireland to the Great Britain,
the city should DEREGULATE this industry.
I mean in this day and age why Ambassadors are saying that they have no pension when they
retire; no one is promise by any one a pension when they retire, even rob ford does not have a
guaranty.
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I'm not trying to single out a group of drivers or plate owners or garages but what really amazed
me when ambassadors are putting luxury cars such as hybrid, Mercedes E class, Genesis,
cadillacs .
It looks like Ambassadors drivers are living in the lap of luxury while we the shifts drivers are
left out in the cold. We are just numbers with no face attached to it.
Dear Tracy,
Looks like you are continously being misguided by few opportunists. Please consider the
following important facts before putting recommendations before city representatives for
approval:
1. Taxicab Driver's in general and Shift Driver's in particular facing "human rights" violations
under the current Taxicab Industry Model.
- financial rights
- social rights (community rights)
- health rights
- family rights
- work freedom rights
2. SHIFT DRIVERS are being harassed and disrespected every single day not just by customers
but so called "stakeholders" of the industry.
3. "To Be" Recommended Taxicab Industry Model will be the same in regards to violations of
rights, if not worse especially for SHIFT DRIVERS.
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If you want to be presented with details then please contact me and give me an opportunity to
present you my findings in person.
No more middle man or agent.
Taxi driver should have direct interaction with the plate owner.
Or
Mls directly control all plates.
Fixed weekly lease for all drivers.
Limousine and other city taxi stops from scooping. Garages treats taxi drivers like slaves,even
they don't know any thing about taxi industry.
Dear Madam,
I beg your pardon for writing you at your personal mail and would not take long in
submitting my request as I am afraid that my voice is completely lost in a huge crowd
influencing the changes in the taxi industry. My only submission is to kindly
ISSUE ALL THOSE AMBASSADOR'S PLATES RETURNED TO THE CITY BY THE AMBASSADORS DUE
TO DIFFERENT REASONS TO ALL THOSE D01 DRIVERS ON THE WAITING LIST COMPILED BY MLC
w.r.t THEIR MERIT.
Never know how long would it take by the authorities to decide about the outcome
of the case of the existing ambassadors. We have been desperately waiting for a long time and
I believe this can be a very favorable step which can bring some ray of hope for us. The city
loses nothing but hundreds of drivers can find their full time livelihood.
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May GOD bless you !
Dear Tracey.
What can say except thank you very much what you've don for Toronto cab driver. I just
received a latter from your office today. about November s meeting I will be there to express
my deepest felling about this industry. we wish we have few people in the municipal office like
you. any way God will help us. this new year all Toronto cab driver will have big hope. this few
brokerage trying to control the business, we will not allow them. we want you know all this
advertisement they had on all over the city it's not represent a driver. they did that for there
benefit. keep up the good job. to save a lot of family. God bless you and your family.
Dear Review committee Members,
I think I am bit late to send these suggestion .I hope some of the points may still be of
interest .
1-Considering the environmental and Safety issues No of official cab stands may please
be increased to for 500 cabs in Toronto city.
2- " Unauthorized parking of taxi cab for hire" infraction # 40043 A has an open ended
definition which tends to extend its application for unlimited range. One of the view
is that infraction may be co- associated with parking violation.
3-Return of Ambassador Plate may be become mandatory when a person is enlisted for
old age pension benefits from Gov. of Canada.
4-Ambassador plate owners may be allowed to put on secondary driver .As this will add
in safety and more availability of cabs to take a ride in city of Toronto.
5- An arranged pic up of passengers by Airport limousine from city of Toronto to
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Transport them to Pearson Airport may be tolled/charged by 15 $, same as Toronto
Cabs are charged at P airport for an arranged pick up. This can be paid and enforced at
departure terminals 1 and terminal 3.This will add in revenue for city of Toronto.
6- One Cab plate may be inherited/transferred to legal hires only, or these may be owned
back by City of Toronto.
7-An idea to increase in No of plates may be set aside.
8- Cab drivers may be allowed to contribute in WSIB, so in case of sickness they could
be benefitted from procedure.
9- Leasing of cabs may be controlled by regulatory body so plate owners/holders may
not increase lease at their own.
10- A three members committee may appointed to decide weekly /monthly lease for a
shift driver.
Hi there,
>City should make clear Orders no driver should be allowed to take taxi course if he/she is
under 25years of age.i myself passed the exam at age of 24yrs and after that i faced hard time
as no insurance company accepted me as they consider me as dangerous driver.some insurance
companies dont accept driver who are under 25 so it should be taken care for new upcoming
drivers.
>City should make clear 36 months of Private insurance is necessary for all taxi driver and this
should be uniform rule for all taxi drivers.
>Physical health of driver/Fitness certificate mandory each year as few drivers have serious
health issue still they driving cabs and putting life of people on risk,some of them even blind
from 1 eye.
>Drivers be able to request payment in advance upto 30$
>Electronic logs system should be installed as some drivers dont show proper income at time of
tax file,in other words they are ripping canada revenue,they have property in canada still living
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on welfare which is not fair thing for tax payers.
>Should report income on weekly basis to city .
>city should take necessary steps to avoid future unpaid fairs,if some body decides not to pay
he/she be charged criminally.
>Speed limit device maybe installed in the cabs for saftey purpose
>Daily Lease of the cabs going high and high without any good reason,city may look into this
matter
Thnx
I am living in Canada but as a taxi driver I have no personal life and did not know anything about
Canada, feel my self as donkey.
I surprised to read your taxi review 2013. You try to improve the industry but there is nothing
mentioned that you are going to help somehow to the drivers. This time we are suffering a lot
due to ignorance of city. I give you some example of it.
1- Same expense of taxi but every one pay different shift.
2. Driver is paying for debit/credit fee from 5 to 10% over the shift money, which is considered
as Robbery.
3. 84 hours per week drive to feed big guys and made less than $4.00 per hours.
4. Face family disturbance.
5 Get sever sickness like diabetes, Hart, Castrol , blood pressure.
I can give you more problems which I am facing after driving 20 years.
In my back home they have donkeys like me as a taxi driver, they have no life they take them
out for work they work all day without proper food, have no family and they put them in dark
room at night - This practice is 7/12 like me.
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As you know the plate rent is very high and driver shift rent is very way. The only way to help
shift driver and lessee is to convert all ambassadors to standards this will drop the plate lease
which will also drop the shift rent and in your recommendations you are allowing ambassadors
only one driver for four days that is not feasible to the owner and not feasible for the driver
because the shift driver wants to drive full time. Plate owners should not be able to lease the
plate the owner should be only allowed to put the one vehicle that he controls. Agents should
be wiped out. If you want to go by ttl then you should convert all ambassadors to ttl. They
should be able to put a full time and a part time driver on sedans. We do not need any
electronic monitors in our vehicles as they are useless and invade our privacy. The cleaning fee
should be $100 like some cities in the US. Pre payment should not be $25 maximum it should
be for the approximate amount for the fair. I hope this review is not delayed any further so
please speed up the process for the sake of us drivers.
i would like to not change the ownership and leave the current system that means one man
one plate or drivers who have taxi license can buy if you make change the owner ship the plate
value goes one million and that make mess the system industry.
Hello,,I would like to know if you foresee developing a mechanism for setting and/or reviewing
taxi fares.,Thank you for you kind collaboration, good day.
Its humbly requested to say that we being the ambassadors of toronto for the tourists and our
local riders and driving taxi for 12 hours a day, 7 days a week,365 days a year without any of the
compensation like health or any other benefit, still face severe hardships in pushing the wheels
of life and living hand to mouth. we are squeezed by middle men whom lease plates from
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owners and runs a garrage having more than 100 vehicles and every other half or quarter of the
year, alarms us that lease has been increased to this extent.If u dont follow, are asked to hand
over the key and shut up. That means go home like u r fired.There should be a criteria seeking
living necessary expenses and atleast should be a place to cry for where our voice should be
heard.
OPEN ENTRY IS THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR ALL PROBLEMS
We need one uniform taxi service for the entire city. There should only be one vehicle model in
use. Customer display screens should show route mapping (GPS) and other relevant
information.
PLEASE ELIMINATE THE MIDDLE AGENT WHO LEASE THE PLATES FROM THE OWNERS AND
CHARGE WHATEVER HE LIKES, TO THE DRIVERS.
I am in taxi industry for last 13 years. I find this profession as a legal form of slavery by the plate
owners, city, agents and brokerages. There is very little done to improve the situation by the
city. I believe stake and interests are very high for plate owner, grages and brokerages. They
mould the situation as they like. No one is protecting the interests of the drivers. There are
50,000 drivers in the city but there is no out there to protect there interest. Drivers are worried
about making 130 dollars to cover the car and then covering themselves. There is little time to
protect one's right. My sugestion is to make it an open policy any person who is driving a cab
should be able get his plate and drive it. city should impose a monthly fee 800 to 1000 per
month to operate it. In that way city will make a money and drivers will be protected too by
these agents and plate owners. please consider some alternate policies regarding insurance of
the cab because right now it is rediculous situation.
If you eliminate the agent the owners do not want to deal with a lot of driver so they will give
the plate to brokers and the drivers will get nothing.(THE BROKERS AND THE AGENT ARE THE
SAME FOR DRIVER BOTH ARE MAKEING ALOTE OF MANY ON DRIVER).,So the MLS taking the
plate from the owners and leas it to drivers who are on waiting list for ambassador. This way all
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the plate is leased by driver and makes the driver to work professionally.,To manage this THE
MLS can charge the driver and the owners.
I have been driver for last 8 years. Many different people are taking piece of the pie. But people
who do not have any thing to do with this business are making the most out of it. I mean agents
who lease plates from owners and rent it out drivers. These agents have been dictating all the
terms and conditions and drivers have become slave to them. If one licensed taxi driver is
allowed to be agent of one and only one plate. That will set all the drivers free of this modern
day slavery. ,Please make one plate one agent policy. No person shall be allowed to be agent of
more than one plate. This magical step will solve most of our problems in Toronto Taxi Industry.
I request the city please please take all general plates from people and issue the plate directly
to driver even we can pay city 500 d0llar per month. it will save us from modern slavery mafia,
and also city can increase the revenue
Hi; sir/Madam ,I am taxi cab driver since 2006. In the recent year garage who rent cab to the
drivers they have increased the rent from $400 WK to $650 WK and now they are pushing
drivers for more money. After working whole week we are not left even a little money, after
paying weekly lease to garage.,I humbly requast to counsern authority to eliminat these garage
or middleman from the taxi industry. So that drivers can not be sucked by these garage
monsters.
Am driving cab from 6 year i request to city plz control. Taxi lease system because garage owner
and midels man are sucking blood of taxi drivers
Thank you for the opportunity you you gave me to comment on preliminary report. ,I read the
report very interest lay and yes I am not happy with so many of them but I went to put some
input First of all this 2012 taxi review reform is becoming top agenda because of the complain
from the industry it self but the way I see it the reform is going the way the city is planing to do
it It's ok if you went to do it the way you went too but don't forget to add the workers
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insurance like if the are unable to work death accident or sick because they don't have any
support any way,The other thing is about the miter redaction please don't compare it with
United States city's you in us the gas price is from 0.79 cents up to $0.80 contes all most half
price than what we pay right hear this is a big factor for the miter redaction some times when I
compete the shopping price with us it is too high hear in Canada So the miter has to be the
same as it is no redaction needed for now.
we hope all goes well with the reform on all things we intend to make it better for the shift
drivers eg. lower rates better transportation newer cars or vans benifits all around if were able
to put a driver or drivers like the standard plates it would be better for the industry and city of
toronto more drivers more city revenue. thank you
Everything can remain as it is except the fact that standard plate owners should only be allowed
to lease out their license to a driver who is actually going to drive that car with the exception
that he be allowed to have another shift driver.
Dear Sir/Madam,Hi,I am driving a cab for the last 4 years.I am sorry to say that the life of a taxi
driver in Toronto is becoming miserable only due to garage owner ,plate owner and
agents.These agents (who got plates throuh their personal contact)are very cruel peoples.They
are looting us.Every second or third month they(agents)make excuse that insurence went up or
lease of plates went up ,so you(taxi drivers)have to give us more money.If we peoples disagree
they thread us that he will take cab from us,because outside there are lot of people waiting for
cabs.Then there will be no choice for us.we have to pay them more.My cab owner
recently(three days ago) raised my lease $40 a week.He made excused that he purchased car
which is $4000 expensive.So he increased $80 a day for both drivers.Can you calculte how
much he will make these next four years(almost $16640).Same way one garage owner raised
lease every 2nd month.He also pushed others to increase thr lease by phoning them
contiously.He thread the drivers that every day lot of new drivers asked for cab ,so by this way
he increas lease by the amount he wants.,I humbly request you guys please take some action
against these cruel people and take controlled of every single plate.Today I booked only $95 by
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working from 6am -4pm.$70 for owner,$17 for gas and rest which is $8 for me.Think about that
and please do something about these blood sucker peoples.On the other hand ambassedor
taking advantage by working day and night ,because they work in peak rush hours.They are
allowed to work less hours but they work more than 90 hours a week.Some of them have good
jobs such as bus driver and school teacher, but still they work more than 40 hours a week.,I
want to say that only drivers like us are geting crushed under this sustem.I want to say humbly
that please do something for drivers and controlled agents and garage owners.What we make
after working 12 hrs shift ,these peoples snatched from us and rest is go for gas ,we take home
very small amount,sometime nothing.So please do something now......,Thanks you so much for
giving us a chance to reiew.,with best wishes.
Dear Sir,,I lease taxi plate from the owner,for the last eight years or so.Almost every few
months the owner ask me to raise the rent of taxi plate.This is because there are so many taxi
drivers in the industry and most of them approach the owner and offer more rent to the
owner.So one of my suggestion to the respected decesion makers is that MLS should take
control of those taxi plates which are not driven by the owner and MLS decide about rent of
taxi plate and rent of taxi plate should be tranfer to the owner of taxi plate through MLS
othervise this would continue and leasee drivers would continue to suffer in this civilised
society .If the this taxi industry review could not do anything about safety and prosperity for the
taxicab drivers ,i think there would be no gain .So i hope MLS and law makers would act not for
the big guys but consider about poor condition taxicab drivers.,Thanks.
Is the Ambassador Taxi Program Worth Saving, or has it Become a Problem Rather Than a
Solution? ,The recent Licensing and Standards Committee's meeting was an eye opener for me.
It revealed that correct questions were not being asked making it difficult to find the
appropriate solutions to the Toronto taxi industry woes. Without a doubt, the correct questions
which should be asked over and over until everyone is familiar with the answers are, 'why was
the Ambassador program constructed and is it still relevant today?' Also,is the label “owner
operator” placed upon the Ambassadors drivers appropriate or a tag of convenience?,The most
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definitive explanation offered by the City's legal department for the enactment of the
Ambassador taxi policy is as follows:,with respect to taxicab owners, City Council recognized the
serious deficiencies in the system of taxicab regulations and chose to adopt a policy option of a
system of owner operated taxicabs.,The Task Force's analysis revealed that owner- drivers were
the least likely to have complaints made against them for poor vehicle maintenance or bad
service. This was attributed to two factors. Firstly, an owner is his or her own boss, and
operates without the burden of a lease costs or other layers of management. With fewer
expenses to pay, the owner-driver has more money to channel into vehicle maintenance.
Secondly, it appeared that the positive influence of pride of ownership translates into better
cars and a more consistent, higher level of customer service.,Taxicabs and taxicab drivers are
ambassadors of the City of Toronto. The Ambassador Class Taxicabs concept was intended to
ensure that all new entrants to the taxicab industry in Toronto express the quality image that is
critical for the industry and the City to achieve.,On July 29,1999, City Council enacted a By-law
478-99 which provides, inter alia, that all new taxicab owners' licences will be Ambassador
Licences, that must be operated by the owner of the licence and cannot be sold or leased. It
was intended that this would introduce more owner-drivers as Toronto taxicab operators and
eliminate the complex system with the taxicab industry with five levels of management.,The
approximate cost of obtaining an Ambassador Licence is $1,985.00. This includes the licence
fee, the cost of the Ambassador Taxicab Training Course and the cost of a CPR course.,The
highlights of the Ambassador Licence are as follows:,- issued to taxicab drivers chronologically
on the drivers list;,- a driver must complete the Ambassador Taxicab Training Course;,- sole
owner/sole operator; and,- non-transferable (not to be leased or sold).,The rationale behind
not allowing Ambassador Licences to be transferred or leased is to ensure that the individual
who successfully completes the advanced drive-training program is the individual providing
service to the public. The rationale is also to reward individuals who want to participate and
commit to the taxicab industry by driving a taxicab, with an opportunity to run their own
taxicab business.,The introduction of the Ambassador Licences was done with consideration of
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the impact on the existing Standard Licences. The Standard Licences were grandfathered and
can, subject to certain specific regulations, continue to be sold, leased and driven by a third
party.,Situations of hardship were also addressed when the conditions of the Ambassador
Licences were being considered (specifically in a report dated November 25, 1998 from the
Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services). The possibility of providing
exceptions for situations of hardship such as illness or disability was considered, however there
was concern that any exceptions would lead to leasing and that providing exceptions would not
be a productive way to address income loss of Ambassador Taxicab operators.,It was
recommended that a more appropriate way to deal with cases of hardship was to encourage
taxi cab drivers to purchase adequate insurance, as is currently done by many small business
operators.,As you can see, Toronto City Council adopted the policy option of owner operated
taxicabs in favor of continuing to issue Standard licences. So what happened? In 1998, the city
reluctantly agreed to form a Task Force to review the taxi industry. The Task Force report,
among other things, suggested that more taxicab licences were needed to meet the demand at
the time. This fact is not debatable.,It was City Council who elected to adopt the option of
owner operated taxicabs. This is where the major error in the Ambassador program took place.
The model that impressed City Council so much was the Standard owner operator model.
However, when this model was transposed to the Ambassador form, some critical attributes
were eliminated hence making the Ambassador program something else. Certainly not a owner
operated model.,A Standard owner operator and the Ambassador owner operator are
completely different operations. This distinctions has to highlighted, they are not the same. The
owner operator model which the current Review is touting as the way to go needs more
clarification. The most disturbing aspect of the Ambassador policy is it was enacted under a
false assumption. We do know, there was no demand from the public, or a overwhelming need
within the taxi industry for a owner operated model. The only people who wanted this policy
were the special interest groups. We do not know why it took 12 years to investigate what the
policy was doing to the operators and their families.,The Ambassador program as we know it
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today has caused more problems than it was initially designed to fix. It has created a leasing
nightmare with potential lessees totally at the mercy of agents. Its ruthless insistence on not
allowing anyone other than the Ambassador operator to drive the taxicab has caused many
families to suffer needlessly.,The city failed to follow its own edict “The Ambassador Class
Taxicabs concept was intended to ensure that all new entrants to the taxicab industry in
Toronto express the quality image that is critical for the industry and the city to achieve.” Yet,
new entrants into the taxi industry were not trained with the Ambassador curricula. The city
offers two reasons why they refuse to allow Ambassadors to lease their taxicabs or to transfer
them. Both reasons are very difficult to understand. The first reason is to ensure that the
individual who successfully completes the advanced drive-training program is the individual
providing service to the public. This is fair enough especially when the city is not training drivers
with the Ambassador syllabus. The damning indictment against the City is their refusal to
review their own Ambassador policy for 12 years in the face of countless hardship cases. The
City states this as the reason for their negligence “The possibility of providing exceptions for
situations of hardship such as illness or disability was considered, however there was concern
that any exceptions would lead to leasing and that providing exceptions would not be a
productive way to address income loss of Ambassador Taxicab operators.”,Now that we have
flushed out the reasons or so called reasons according to the City of Toronto, are there any
good reasons to sustain and nourish this policy? The answer is no.,
The main thing I want to say is about middle men such as garages. They are creating big
problems for drivers. There is no criteria for lease increase, and other costs such as debits and
credits. They have there own rules which have no significence in by-laws or other licensing
standards. Moreover the condition of the vehicles is horrible just because of there negligence.
i m driving cab for last five years in toronto. i think there should be direct dealing between full
time drivers and city. taxi plates either standred and ambesdor should be cancelled and taxi
permits should be issued to full time drivers. there should be seperate taxi for days shift and
night shift and each driver should not be allowed to work more than 12 hours
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Children should really be taught to deal with their teeth correctly so that there are no problems
awaiting them in the future. Stay away from junks snacks and eat regular meals instead such as
for instance whole grains, fruit and veggies. Each one is regarded as being contributory facets in
the DUI accident.
Dear sir or madem I am taxi driver of city of tronto since 2004 and I am leasing a cab from grage
and there is few of grage mafia who are holding all tronto taxi indestry I am payaing almost
$100 dollar for 12 hours which is rip off some days even I have to pay the grage from my pocket
after 12 hours work and even I can't take a day off even if I want cause still I have to pay that
money dosen't matter i worki or not!! Plz plz do something for us drivers! And plz plz control
this industry!! Cause we drivers first we have to make at least $600 dollar for cab rent then we
have to make for our selves plz kindly do something better for the cab industry thank you so
much!!! reply plz''
Respected team members please look this industry who making mony and who work rard ?,1:
driver work 12 hours a day,seven days a week.,he has no time for family becase of he pays big
amount to the agent off the plate,per week,one can hold more then 50 plates and drivers can
not find plate to have own cab, 1 person should not be agent of more then 1 plate,and city
should deside plate rent and per week shifft for drivers, and decide some rools for drivers and
agents,
Sir . ,please change some rools for cab driver we are salaves for agent, 1 person should be agent
off more then 1 plate, and make som soft rools for drivers,agent makes 2000 dollors per car
and thay dont work on the road,driver dooing most dangres jobn in the world thay dont make
any thing except mantly stress?thanks
driver is the only person who is making money for woner the brokeg midelman insurance
company then he make money for himself plese do some thing about midel man our industry
could be better with out madil man driver can live happy life
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dear m l s please do some thing in faver of driver so he can deal with owner without an agent
thanks
I DO NOT TOO TO MUCH COMMENTS I AM ON AMBASSADOR WAITING LIST, I WANT MY
AMBASSADOR PLAT. I AM DRIVING TO 12 YEARS ONE THING I KNOW IT IS GOOD FOR ME AND
FOR MY CITY. THANKS.
To, Director General,Toronto Cab Industry,Subject: Recommendations, Suggestions for Taxi
Industry review.,Dear sir,,I have been working in the Toronto Taxi Cab business for the last eight
years. Since the last two years the taxi business is going down and down. Now a days we are
hardly making lease and gas during the ten to twelve hours. The garage owners are still
increasing the lease after every six months. The following recommendations and suggestions
will be very useful for the future of the Cab Industry in Toronto.,1) All the cab plates should be
the property of the city of Toronto.,2) The plates rent should be strictly fixed by the city.,3) The
lease of all cab drivers should be reasonable and fully controlled by the city of Toronto and also
the city should strictly watch over all garages and plate owners. ,4) The monopoly of plate
owners and these garages should be totally finished by fixing only one plate owner and one
agent (Driver). This is very important.,5) These ambassador drivers work more than sixteen
hours and they never go home??? On the other hand, the taxi drivers who rent the car play an
important role in this cab industry and the cab drivers of Toronto are hardly making the lease
and the gas at the end of their shift. At the end of seven days, they are hardly saving an amount
which is even less than the cab rent. Why is this such a big difference??? ,6) The Toronto Cab
Industry should be deregulated the plates. The Toronto Cab Industry should take the strong
decisions like the ones taken in cities such as Montreal, Oakville, Missisauga, Barrie and
Cambridge. ,7) There is no need of safety shield in the Cab. ,8) This is very crucial time for the
Cab Industry in Toronto and if the city does not take the right steps towards making the
Industry a reasonable place for these hard working and educated cab drivers to earn enough at
the end of the week. Now a days, the main slogan is to give the benefits to the cab drivers. ,We
hope we will be hearing the good news and bold decisions very soon.
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The middle man ( Agents ) are real blood sucker of cab drivers.This can be understood from the
following for taking example of one cab,Income,Day drivers pay 550 per week i.e, 78.57 per day
and 2357.10 for 30 days $2357.10 per month,Night driver pay 650 per week i.e, 92.85 per night
and 2785.72 for 30 days,total income = 2357.10 + 2785.2 = 5142.82,Expenditures,Rent of Plate
1800,Brokerage fee 510,Insurance 600,Price depreciation of cab 300,cab maintenance
200,Plate renewel fee 100 pm i.e 1200 per year,Car sticker renewal 12.5 pm i.e ,150 per
year,Total exp 3522.50,Earnings of agent from one cab = 5142.82 - 3522.50=1620,Note there is
no relief to Driver for any break down time like repair time spent in garrage,no emergency
holiday, even he has to pay the shift during 3 days refresher course and one day CPR
course.,lets make a round figure of 1500 dollars per cab instead of 1620 dollars. Just imagine if
an agent own25 cabs and accordingly he makes 25 multiply by 1500 =37500 dollars cash money
without doing any hard work just by sitting in his airconditioned office.,These agents/middle
man are root cause of blood sucking of drivers.,Secondly Toronto is overflooded with cabs , it
does not require rocket science to prove it, even no complicted satistical anlysis required to
prove this fact, just stand on any main road/ street and you can see tens of empty/ vacants cabs
running purposeless in a hope to find a fare.Just visit Union station, First Canadian Place, TD
Towers, Hotels, Yonge- Eglinton subway stand any Taxi stands, all will be over crowded.Right
now we have around 3500 standard taxi, 1600 Ambassador Taxis and 100 Accessible Taxis i.e,
5200 whereas right at the moment 4000 cabs are more than sufficient to cater the needs of
Toronto.,Thirdly illegal business of cars who give cookies to Door man of Hotels and do illegal
business Police and MLS officers have to do serious and effective measures against these
culprits.,Fourthly City has to intervene to regulate the Rent of Standard Plate and also regulate
the weekly shift of day and night driver, proposed shift rate,Day driver 450 dollars per
week,Night driver 500 dollars per week,Rent of plate 1800 dollars per month,Eradication of
Agents and Middle man
One city one law. Now night shift rent is 600. To 650 now driver can buy one plate but many
owner children get the license and buy plate they don,t drive indirectly they buy more than one
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plate so every year they sell their car with plate then they take their plate back from other
driver and next they give plate to some body else if city make the law owner has to drive one
shift or sell the plate will make bigg difference. And they should allow driver to mamas solder
taxi. Thanks
sir hi all garage owner thay charge to much cab less last yaer night shift $550 day $450 ,,,, now
$630 and $530 plase stop this and new driver no insurance this way thay take benifit gas also
kiling and work is salow plaes stop the fleet system thay hold over 100 100 plate and abuse cab
driver and ambassador cab making more mony becase thay own cab and 24 hr driveing cab
,and need more cab stand becase police abuse to and use power night time giving tickt but
sighn say after 6pm alow but thay useing power thanks your time
Minimum fare on dispached calls should be ten dollars and street flag should be as it is
now.This action will also help indipendent drivers to make some money and also for drivers
those who wait long time for radio calls and gets very short calls.Espacialy in downdown area
people will come on the street to flag a cab.
All the cabs shold be in one color beacuse most people think that some company's taxis are the
only legal taxis in toronto.Plus drivers spends money to paint the car and taxi companies gets
the benefit of getting free advertisement.
i been a driver since last 8 years,i lease a cab for 650 a week and my owner wants 675 a week
now, its getting out of control now.and if i want to have a recipt for the lease i have to pay 25
extra per week for that, so i can mention that in my tax return.please do some thing about that
he owns 10 plates and getting more and more and making it hard for person like me to even
drive a cab in toronto.
Open entry is only solution for Toronto complicated taxi industry. Open entry will eliminate all
problems. Open entry will work like pesticides spray on the green lawn. It will kill all the weeds
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and grass will green and healthy .wright now weeds are sucking more energy then grass in
Toronto taxi industry
city should consider that, a driver who drive 7 days a week 12 hours shift, make money, but
arround 60% goes to cab owner's pocket and gas station, in last 4 years gas price gone double,
but fare is same starts 4.25$. we pay much more money to buy gas, but passanger pays 4 years
old adjusted fare.,there should be a system to control working hours for drivers, too many
hours on seat,and stress of earnings slowly make driver sick in sevral ways, drivers are forced to
lease cars for 7 days, 12 hours shift, lease increased Night 625$ a week, gas price double, how
driver can survive? ,2-,city should be devided in zones, and every zone gets only limited amount
of cabs at a time. not every one should run in downtown,
As someone who came to Canada for a business meeting, I was excited and hopeful to expand
our Canadian operations. We do business in many many countries all over the world and have
been recently focused on expanding our already significant global reach. For the most part my
experience in Canada was one that implied pushing towards a widespread Canadian
partnership exploration due to awesome business opportunities, partners and just like-able
people from all over the city. ,Until tonight. The cab driver used continuous racial slurs
describing the race I identify with immediately after I got in the cab. The cab driver who would
not give his name. ,Upon reaching my destination the driver would not allow me to pay by
credit card. The cab driver bullied his way into a nearby gas station so that I could pay him n
cash (and include a nice tip as well - despite him leaving close to 1 mile from my destination and
making me very uncomfortable - it was never a choice...) I have never felt so violated travelling
abroad. ,As someone who fairly regularly travels all over the world, I was surprised and shocked
that Toronto resulted in the most scary and uncomfortable abroad experience of my life. I hope
that the city of Toronto radically rethinks its policy and enforcement program so that people
bringing business into Toronto do not have to suffer from cab drivers who overstep legal and
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moral restrictions. I can honestly say that I will be in no hurry to return to or push business
forward in Canada until that happens, nor will the members of the business community who
are alerted this incident. ,I look forward to your response. ,Sincerely disappointed.
1. Body odor is not addressed in your report. I detest sending a client to their hotel in a taxi for
fear that they reach their destination and tell me later that it stank to high heaven of B.O.,2.
Interact machines are not in every cab. This can be problematic when paying by debit card.,3.
Cell phones are a problem. My stock response to drivers on the phone is to wait until they ask
for clarification on directions, then tell them I'll be happy to speak with them once their
important phone call is over. If they've overshot my intended destination, I will remove the
overage.
Some taxi driver and owner cheating welfare system. To get welfare they should surrender taxi
driver license. some ambassador driver they have expensive cars .they also cheating the
system. so do something no good. Thanks.
I pay $635.00 every week to the garage owner/middleman. I also pay for the gas. I make less
thant $635.00 in a week after paying lease and gas. I think this is not fair. If city leases plate
directly to driver that's how we will get fair deal and city can generate some revenue. I think we
should get rid of middlemen/garage owner.
Dear Sir/Madam,Please regulate the role of agents (lessee's, garage owners) because when i
start driving taxi in 2003 weekly rent was $425 and i was taking home daily $60 to $100 average
but now weekly rent is $550 and i am taking home daily $30 to $60 average so please regulate
the rent more efficiently.,The plate owners should give the plates directly to the drivers who
are driving more than five years so the role of agent can be eliminated because all the duties of
the agents can also be done by the drivers.Thanks in advace.
Dear sir/medam,As a taxi reviw I would like to thanks, taking comments from drivers As a driver
we are facing lot of challanges from Grages they are giving very hard time to drivers and forcing
to non stop work seven days a week due to increasing high price of shift, Weather working are
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not still have to pay more then Hundurd twenty a day and they are taking 7% from dabit and
credit which is quit large amount.,Also from coustomer side some people are over drunk if they
are through out in the car that will coust to driver lot of time to clean it he have to go clean up
right way i thank that will be charge able to customer at least Fifty doller and that will be
include in the bill of right.Some customer are taking advantage we have stop on the way or we
are picking up some thing most of the time they are going in the bulding and they are not
coming back or run way from other side i thank customer have to pay before leving the cab or
holding some vale able to the driver if he do not have money with him.,once again thankyou
very much taking step to reviewit.
HEY I AM A YOUNG GUY AND I AM FROM PAKISTAN BEEN IN CANADA SINCE 2007 I LOVE
CANADA THE PEOPLE,THE GOVERMENT,THE LAWS AND I AM DRIVING A CAB SINCE ALMOST A
YEAR KNOW AND WHAT I FEEL BUT SORRY TO SAY THAT MY OWN COUNTRY PEOPLE ABUSING
THE SYSTEM HERE I TELL U MY STORY HERE,WHEN I STAR DRIVING CAB FIRST OF ALL WHEN I
GET MY CAB LICENCES IT WAS HARD TO FIND A CAB TO DRIVE BECAUSE WHEREEVER I GO THEY
ASK ME IF I HAVE A THREE YEARS EXPERIENCE PLUS INSURANCE SO THEY(GARAGE, AGENT
,THIRD PARTY) DONT PROVIDE ME A CAB FOR WORK BUT AND OTHER HAND THEY (GARAGE,
AGENT ,THIRD PARTY)SAME TIME ASK ME I HIGHER AMOUNT OF MONEY PER WEEK LIKE 625$
PER WEAK BUT THOSE PEOPLE HAD INSURANCE AND EXPERIENCE THEY(GARAGE, AGENT
,THIRD PARTY) CHARGED THEM 525$ PER WEAK,I AM PAYING ALMOST A 100$ EVERY WEAK
EXTRA(GARAGE, AGENT ,THIRD PARTY) SINCE THEY(GARAGE, AGENT ,THIRD PARTY)NEVR PUT
MY NAME IN INSURANCE SO HOW CAN I GET THE EXPERIENCE .,PLUS THEY (GARAGE, AGENT
,THIRD PARTY)ANY TIME THEY WANT THEY CAN ASK THE CAR BACK FOR NOT REASONE AND
GIVE TO SOMEBODY HOW IS THEM FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER ,PLUS THEY (GARAGE, AGENT
,THIRD PARTY)THEY ASK ME WE DECIDED THAT THEY WILL PUT MY NAME IN THE INSURANCE
AND THEY (GARAGE, AGENT ,THIRD PARTY)ASK ME I HAVE TO PAY THEM 1500$.,I REQUEST TO
CITY OF TORONTO THAT ,1-WHY I HAS TO GO TO(GARAGE, AGENT ,THIRD PARTY) FOR CAB,2WHY I 625$WK(2011 DEC)+650$WK(2012MAY)+ KNOW 675$WK,3-WHY CITY CAN NOT LEASE
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ME A PLATE ON MY NAME SO I CAN BUY MY OWN CAR AND WORK HARD AND PAY TO THE
CITY,4-WHY CITY CAN NOT FINISH THE(GARAGE, AGENT ,THIRD PARTY),5- WHY I AM PAYING
THAT MUCH MONEY(GARAGE, AGENT ,THIRD PARTY),6- WHY I CAN NOT PAY TO CITY DIRECTLY
,7- WHY I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IF SOME CALL ME AND ASK ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK
TO(GARAGE, AGENT ,THIRD PARTY) BECAUSE FOR NO REASONE,PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ,THANKS, IF U HAVE ANY QUESTION PLEASECONTECT ME ,ONCE
AGAIN THANKS
Hi ,i am a cab driver running a cab 7 days a week 5am to 5 pm to meets my end needs. how
successful i m am. only i knows r my God, but what i found after 2 years of my experience that i
start loosing my health, my family life,social activities and most of all my kids love for whom i
am working so hard. on top of that we cab driver remain under lot of stress because of hike in
lease every six month. i start paying 475.00 a month with 5-10% commission on
debit/credit/govt. vouchers transaction. now i m paying 525.00/week lease with 5-10%
commission which becomes about 570.00/week,+Tickets by police+high Gas prices+ we listen
foul language by cyclist and other drivers and many more problems and the same way night
drivers are paying high lease than day drivers. so now the question is who is going to save us
from these garages owners who keep hiking lease without govt permission.They are trying their
best to squeeze the blood from our body.You must be aware about number plate price in black
market has gone so high that we can not think of it. so please please its a humble request to do
some thing or eliminate those factors involved in this game so we can live a healthy and happy
life. otherwise we will end up in shelter houses with our families and burden will be on govt.
,Hope to hear good news. ,Rgds.
Dear Sir Madam,,please do something for most affected cab drivers who are suffring more then
any bodu else,please do something about follings.,1 kickout agents and middlemans they are
sucking blood of cab drivers.,2 do somthing for uneployement ,3 Airport fairs,4 job security
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Taxi drivers work hard and they pay too much weekly dues, if drivers want to lease the plate it
is not avalaible in the market at all because agent mafia are holding the plates. I request that
agent mafia should be finished and the city should control all the plates and give the plates on
senority basis.
elemante agents and middelman these are big blood suckers of industry,taxi leases should be
directly b/w plate ownar and driver,airport faeres ,allow drivers to ask mony up front to control
fair jumpers when out of town faers ee
It is requested that:,Garages should have only 1 license plate, the rest should be rented out to
drivers. ,Leases should be controlled by the city so that they are not subject to erratic
increases/subject to the whims of the garages.,Exorbitant interest rates are charged by lease
owners for debit and credit card transactions (7%) and charge slips (6%).,The number of taxi
stands should be increased. Police give out tickets at 2 am in the morning for standing in areas
where there is no traffic.,All sorts makes of cars are allowed to be taxis; some are too small.
Sometimes customers are too tall to sit in a lot of the cabs.
Yes I would like to inform you that our owner of licence plate and garage owner of taxicabs are
steeling the money from the drivers,weekly lease is too high which over $600.00 and gas is
expensive too and we have too much stress from this job because business is not very good in
the city, so I would like to request to do some thing good for the drivers which would benefit
for the drivers.,And ambassadors are also is not a good idea because they are making away
more than the regular driver so either you should issue to everyone ambassador or no one
should be a ambassador.,Thanks.
1-driver should have right to refuse if some one using abusive language and discuss yr religious
and back home values,2-right to ask for cash in front from the customer who are suspected just
like t.t.c and other businesses,3-more taxi stands and capacity increase in the existing cab
stands,4- proper and legal protection for taxi drivers to save them from the bulling of cyclist
and pedesterian,5-city should make a legal way for taxi drivers how to pick up and drop off the
customers on the streets which have bikes lanes like college st and sherbourne st and city
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should announce it on electronic media to make aware to the cyclist about it,6 - city should do
proper things to put cap on the sky rocketing increase in the weakly shift rent,7- customers call
cab to pick up from home should be minimum 10 dollars ,8-proper attention and quick
response of police at the time of dispute of cb driver with fare jumpers
There Shuldn't be middle man in taxicab system.
I would like to request the review committee that they must review the lease which is too high
and a cab driver doesnot afford to cover that lease. Approximately lease range from $625 to
$660 per week and cab driver work so hard to cover that amount. So city introduce a new law
in which city force the garages that cannot raise the lease without the approval of city. City fix
the weekly charges and driver pay that amount weekly on reciept so then those agents or
garage owner stop sucking the blood of poor drivers.
The sale and rental of these cabs should be regulated by the city and the prices should be kept
in check. The role of the middleman (garage owners) should be removed in order to decrease
prices. ,The garage owners create their own rules regarding the lease of cabs. They do not allow
drivers to take a break for even one day. If a driver decides to take a day off, their car is given
off to someone else the next day, due to a large number of taxi drivers in Toronto. ,This seven
day work week has serious effects on the health of the drivers; many drivers suffer from some
sort of disease, mainly diabetes and heart disease. I myself have had a heart attack and have
gone through three angioplasties to date. ,My garage owner makes around $2000 a month on
each cab he has (he rents out approximately 45 cabs), making a lot of money for doing very
limited work. ,The cost of renewing the taxi licence is too high, especially when we are paying
so much already for lease. Lastly, during the three day period of the refresher course, we
cannot work and yet, have to pay the city for the course. We cannot afford to pay for the
course when we have had zero income for the three days. It makes life even more difficult for
drivers because we are already living hand to mouth.,My suggestion would be that the role of
the garage owners should be abolished. Furthermore, the rental and sale of taxis should be
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regulated by the municipal government. Something should also be done about the high prices
of the licence renewal and the refresher course.
I vote and support this idea that every driver should have their own number plate. ,Because Im
a day driver ,i rent a cab and I pay $550 every week.,Thanks,,Your's sincere.
Very few taxi cab stands in the city; even if there are only 1 or 2 cab can sit. ,Lot of unlicensed
cab or levry, littles been done to stop them,Plate rents and leases going up like never
before,Police targeting more often even they are gone inside to get a elderly customer,These
are only few issues that been highlighted
The sale and rental of these cabs should be regulated by the city and the prices should be kept
in check. The role of the middleman (garage owners) should be removed in order to decrease
prices. ,The garage owners create their own rules regarding the lease of cabs. They do not allow
drivers to take a break for even one day. If a driver decides to take a day off, their car is given
off to someone else the next day, due to a large number of taxi drivers in Toronto. ,This seven
day work week has serious effects on the health of the drivers; many drivers suffer from some
sort of disease, mainly diabetes and heart disease. I myself have had a heart attack and have
gone through three angioplasties to date. ,My garage owner makes around $2000 a month on
each cab he has (he rents out approximately 45 cabs), making a lot of money for doing very
limited work. ,The cost of renewing the taxi licence is too high, especially when we are paying
so much already for lease. Lastly, during the three day period of the refresher course, we
cannot work and yet, have to pay the city for the course. We cannot afford to pay for the
course when we have had zero income for the three days. It makes life even more difficult for
drivers because we are already living hand to mouth.,My suggestion would be that the role of
the garage owners should be abolished. Furthermore, the rental and sale of taxis should be
regulated by the municipal government. Something should also be done about the high prices
of the licence renewal and the refresher course.
hi,i want to ask city why not they control plate and taxi lease,as a driver i just work for those
blood sucker middleman so called agent or garage owner who work with brokerage and at the
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end just food on my table,this is modern days slavery under city law,you should listen or go out
from your nice office and see how we work on road fighting for pennies,but you don't want to
do anything for poor drivers.please for god sack do something for just drivers and hold the
lease rules in cityhands.thanks
1.Cab drivers have no respect in the socity.Cab drivers are always being insulted by
customers,pedestrians,police officers,cyclists,other private car drivers,espacially from the taxi
dispatchers.Iam working with same company since last 17 years taxi dispatchers are so so rude
and disrespectful with drivers.Taxi management and dispatchers treats drivers as a socond class
citizens. Taxi dispatchers insult drivers on the air they think drivers are not humman
being.There is so much discrimination going on against the drivers.There should be a driver's
bill of rights to stop all these things and to stop bad behavier against drivers. 2.Driver should
ask money up front to customers those who are going far after midnight to stop the fair
jumpers(people those who do not want to pay the fair). 3.There should be minimum fare of ten
dollars for dispatch calls only like a parcel delivery.If somebody flags a cab on the street his/her
cab meter should start from $4.25 on other hand if some body calls a cab broker and want to
have a dispatched cab his/her cab fare should be minium $10.00.This action will bring more
business towards the independent cab drivers.
hy,i am a taxi driver for 13years,and every year i hear that city of toronto try to change the
industry rule's,but its never happend,the burden on driver is getting worse and coming year's
with the hands of city and taxi brokerage plus plate agents and garageowner's it gonna be
worse because they all togather againest poor driver's,who try to put food on their family's
table,plus its modren day's slavery,please city of toronto hold the plate's in your hands and fix
the weekly rent for god sack do somthing for the poor driver's.thanks
I have been driving as a Cab driver for 12 years.first of all I really thanksful the Cit of Toronto to
give us opportunity to share some suggestion about the taxi industry,I feel that the taxi industry
need lots of changes.There are too many middle man involve 1.plate owner 2. Agent of the
plate 3.Garage owner and most of the time all there people are not driving cab and only making
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money sitting home doing nothing why the only one cab driver making money for plate owner
for agent and for garage owner.and now a days garage owners start increasing the rent of cab
every three four months they charging more rent. I have some suggestionsfor city,1.Please
issue the taxi plates to all Drivers who wants to work full time.if city issue the plate to driver the
driver will get relief and his cost or expense will be low city can reduce the meter price from
$4.25 to $3.00 it will be good relief for the city of toronto customers and on the other side for
the Cab drivers.and it will also discourge the part timedrivers who drive cab one or two days in
a week or drive cab only on busy time like christmas season and paid the Garage owner high
Rent and give the garage owner opportunity to keep increasing the rent and make big trouble
for full time cab driver like me who work 7 days a week 365 days in a year and end of the day
we still struggling for covering our expense.Why these plate owners doing this business, of
course city issue them plate to drive not to sit home and make money these plates should be
opportunity to drive cab not to Rent to other driver and make his life terrible,if these people
got plates by city why I cannot have this plate I am experienced driver and already driving cab
for 12 years and can drive for long time why this injustice for me.,. if City of Toronto is not able
to issue plates to all drivers, at least elemenate these middle men who are sleeping home and
making money and 99% of them never drive Cab and most of them donot have Cab license.,.
City of Toronto should introduce a system in which the plate owner only can lease his plate
through City of Toronto and one driver can lease only one plate.and Rent of the plate will not
be more that $1000/= monthly.,. when I see the Ambassadar plate owners i really feel injustice,
City of Toronto should give all Cab Drivers equal opportunity to rotate these plates to next 1400
drivers in this way every driver can get the opportunity for less cost and able to save some
money for future.because in this job if the driver sick he will not makeing moneyand worse part
is garage owner we still charge him rent of the car. ,These are my some suggestions .And again I
humbly request the City of Toronto to please give us some relief and please help us to get rid of
these Garage owners who make us like a Slave.And charging us way too high Rent of the
Cab.,Thanks again to give me opportunity to express my views.,Regards.
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I been driving taxi in city of toronto past 4years.it's really really hard to make money and raise
family.i pay 610 dollar lease every week and every after 4/5 months these gerage owner they
put notice that your lease is going up 25 dollar more.my question is why city don't stop them or
fix the lease.whenever they want they can increase the lease.we all work hard but money goes
to gerage owner pocket.Can you plzz plzz fix the lease.my other concern is when there is
holiday there gerage owner don't give us holiday they charge us the hole shift.we have family
we want to spend time with them but even on holiday long weekend they charge us the hole
shift and we pay from our pocket.can you plz raise this issue we are stragling but no body listen
our voice.i hope you will fix this lease problem and holiday problem that they should not
charege us for the shift please and thank you
Hi sir taxi lease is very high and night shift for a week now reach to $650. I will be really happy if
taxi lease and plate rent is controlled by city. And i am sure that city will do the right thing
which is good for the driver and the plate owner. THANK YOU
MY COMMENTS FOR THE TAXI INDUSTRY:,The price of taxi Plate is unrealistic, It is too high and
should be only $50000. ,The rent or lease of the taxi plate very very high, should be only $500
monthly.,The middleman or the brokarages are sucking the blood of poor drivers, should be
administer by the city office only not by the third party.,The numbers of licence drivers too
high, should be only the reqiurments if population of city and the fee of licence gone way
high.,There should be changes which give the relax to the poor driver who are working hard for
living.,Insurnance companies charging high rate for taxi.,The main thing is only rich persons
holding the all advantages of this busines, there should be something for the hard working
drivers also. Thanks ,
i'm driving from 8 years i have nt seen any change n releif for drivers except more suffering n
paying more money in the form of lease... my suggestion is tht city should atleast fix the lease
or directly lease plates to the drivers except doing it by third party... in tht way we can get some
releif n city can get more money in the form of tax... thanks
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City please do something for taxi driver!!!,taxi drivers are paying huge lease($650 per week)and
making nothing at the end of the week we make around $400 to $500 weekly the garage
people makeing more money than us just sitting in garage and collecting money. drivers
working 7 days 8 to 10 hrs its like punishment for drivers wat to do drivers have there family to
run. CITY PLS HELPP US
Good morning.I am a shift driver I paying 655 every week only for night shift plus 10percent on
credit card debit and voucher..so almost 750 every week paying..its almost 32000. Year.if. I ask
to gerag to give me receveof 32 thousandfor tax file thay did give.no 2..cab inceurans camany
rp off the drive .in case of accedent driver cannot get any thing..and. also thay not giving
insurance to new driversd.please control the insurance. Campanies.and fish the gearge
system.even gerage owner paying no tax ..shitdriver. earning lessthan minimum wages..city
control the lease or give ammbassidor plate to every driver.only fo. 8hour shit. So. Every driver
can pay tex and. Live beter life..in greater toronto
I am a plate owner and know that currently dividends by agents are in the $1600.00-$2000.00
range. My agent is undercutting me terribly. Can you recommend any reputable honest agents
that might be willing to pay the medium of $1800.00.
please try to stop increasing shift from plate owners know these days very hard to make money
for basic needs.we try our best if there is no stop may be driver go government benefits like
welfare.plese do something we want work.thanks
we all cab drivers are suffring and tired off with the black maling of taxi plate owners and also
the grage tasi owner.both taxi plate owner and taxi grage owner they are doing nothing and
day by day the become millioners .only the taxi driver work and all other related people making
money without doing nothing .the solution is please city should bound the person who has the
taxi plate that he should drive cab or returned the plate to the city and further one person have
one plate and also drive too.,in this way the taxi driver can make the money for his family.for
the customer safty it is important that taxi cab driver should be stress frre during.other wise he
may make accedent due to stress of high ammount of lease.,if the taxi driver stop working due
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to high amount of lease so it will be burden on thr Government of Canada as he gets wellfair
from government.,for all these troubles it is important for city to privde a stress free invirment
for the torontonian taxi cab drivers by taking off taxi plates from the owners ,who are not
driving and enjoing holidays in Florada without ding nothing.,We have to work very hard to
make money for the plate owners and grage taxi owners and we have few minutes for our
family and childrens.,Please consider our request on humanitarian bases and give us a chance
for thanking to City Government toronto.
I would like to recommend that city issue plate to all licensed cab drivers and charge them a
monthly fee which range between $500 to $1000.It give a city financial benefit and city collect
huge amount every month on other side cab driver will get rid of these garage agents. This will
give some relief to cab driver because those garage lease agents take all financial benefit and
driver doesnot make any money. They increase leases so high on weekly basis which is hard for
a cab driver to cover their on expenses.
Middle man should be removed From Toronto city taxi business and city introduce a law if any
garage owner increase the leases they should be fine 25000$ as in New York city
I am taxicab driver and want to indicate /provide some key problems faced by almost every
taxicab drivers thesedays.,1. Lees Relating Issues. ,i) That there is no law,which can
regulate/control the lees of drivers,every quarter garage owner increase our lees for nothing,as
started my career as taxicab driver in April,2006 when taxicab lees was. ,a. Day shift, 400
Dollars,b.Night shift ,450 dollars,By the passage of time ,which keep increasing and today I m
paying .,1.) Day shift. 600 dollars+7% credit card charges and + 6 % company charges in this way
we r paying almost for; 642 for day shift ,2). Night shift 645+7% credit/debut card charges
except 1dollar fee+6% on beck company charges so total ; 687 dollars night shift.,2). That I want
to point out another important factor that there is no ,Imit/ law for lees increase that's why
every agents have his own lees rates.,Maintenance of Taxicab,,It is pointed out that garage
agents don't care, if car need body or machenical repair ,because they that safety does not
concern to them and they will not get ticket for that.,Plate Prices,That is is brought to ur kind
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notice garage agents with the minouvering ,Of plate owners have increased the plate prices
upto, 375000 / dollars ,and when they sell and buy they don't show the actual price on papers
and steal thousands of dollars city tax .this irregulations are happening because of cab
agents,,Total income of Taxicab agents ,,-Plate lees/rent': 1200 dollars,-cab insurance cost p/m,
600 dollars,-Cab radio fee p/m ,550 dollars,-repair if any , 200 dollars,(note, new car does not
need repair for one year),-annual renewal fee p/m , 100,-new car cost p/ m , 266 dollars ,Total
charges, 2916 dollars ,Total expenditure of agents,,Day shift 600 dollars+6%+7% = 643 dollarsx
4=2568 dollars p/m,Night shift 645 dollars +6+7%=685x4=2740 dollars p/m,Total income of
agents is 5308 dollars,Total cost 2916 dollars,Total saving/ net income per car = 2393 dollars
p/m ,4) Reciept of lees,,That is pointed out that taxicab agents donot give Reciept of lees ,in this
way they can hide their income and showing lot of expenses on taxicab,you can imagine if an
agent holding 35 cars what his income will be,,In this way it is pointed out that all burden of
lees increase goes directly on the shoulders of taxicab drivers,,we are working almost 12 hours
seven days a weelk and making less than a minimum wage ,and all our hard work taken away
by the agents who r doing nothing and making a lot of money ,,Suggestions; ,1)That the role of
agents must be define,agents are making money for doing nothing,if possible agents should be
omitted.,2) limit of Lees should be lay down ,,3) plate owners should lees plate directly to those
drivers who r interested in plate lees ,,4) in this way drivers will be more responsible and they
will maintain the car properly and the customer service will be better,It is further pointed out
that if car gets an accident than taxicab agents asked the cab driver to pay for the repair even
car is insured and also claim money from insurance company, if driver refuses to pay money in
that case agents fired the cab driver by saying that MLS making too many cab drivers so lots of
drivers r waiting for taxicab in the market.,In this situation I request you to stop making cab
drivers as already almost 5000 cab drivers r available in the market,,Comments from,Taxicab
driver
In my opinion the best option for every body is to make toronto an open market for taxi’s so
who ever want to drive taxi in the city of toronto just get the license and pay the fee to the city
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and get a plate to drive because the book value of a plate is $7,000 and people who bought
them for $300,000 they also knew this fact so its their choice to buy one with the market or
black market value price.,There is no need for lessee’s or agents because the driver can provide
all the services and do all duties of those people like agents of lessee’s but for implementation
of this the city of toronto or MLS need to improve their duties also train the drivers for
improved serives.
Dear Sir/ Madam,,I am writing you regards to my weekly payment towards Leas for taxi. I am
working almost 7days a week and I do work religiously, but I am still struggling to make living
out of this. I been told to pay $650 per week for taxi lease regardless of the business. ,I am so
stress due to this pressure, this Agent system is spoiling this taxi business. They blackmail
drivers to pay them their asking price and they control our bread&butter. ,I would be greatful if
you can look into this matter to make our life reasonably comfortable. I don't mind to work
hard but don't like to be abused by these agents who control this lease system. I am sure alot of
my fellow drivers are struggling too. ,If you guys can interduce some kind of system to eas taxi
driver's life at work. ,Looking forward to hear from you ,Kind Regards
I suggest city to enforce to put luxury cars in cab industry to provide luxury and comfort to our
customers convert all ambassader to standard plates so it create more Jobs for drivers like me
our lease will go down immediatly enforce to put luxury cars like Lexus Lincoln ..etc enforce to
make sure no one is stealing our business mean outsiders like airport limos and other limos
taking all the good fares...if we r not allowed to pick fare from airport they shouldn't be allowed
to pick fare from Toronto...
To improve better customer service minimum fare only on dispatch calls should be $10.if
somebody hails a cab from the street meter should start from $4.25.Drivers those who work
with brokers they pay over $500 per month and they wait long time on the posts to get the call
then goes to pick the customer waits at the customer's door when driver pick up the
customer,If customer goes two blocks meter shows $5.25 how driver give good customer
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service.There should be difference between hailing a cab from the street and calling a cab
through brokerage.If customer hails a cab from the street it is easy money if customer calls a
cab driver have to spend more time to cover driver's time and bring more business for
independent drivers and to improve customer service minimum fare should be $10.
Dear Sir/Madam,To make the taxi system more efficient and more profitable for city there is
one solution that please make it a regulation that every person who owns a standard taxi plate
must drive full time that same taxi plate so that way no need for agents or garages or lessee's
or city can also make it an open market for the drivers so any body who want to drive the taxi in
the city of toronto just get the certification and license and pay city a monthly fee for the plate
and buy a vehicle and drive it also city can make it a regulation to install new chip or sin number
code enhanced smart fare meter's in all taxi's so city of toronto can work more efficiently to
collect taxes for the benefits of all the citizens.Thank you,Yours Truly.
I like to tell the city that cab industry is no more cab,industry, it's become a monopoly , one taxi
plate and 4,different people involved in plate business, starting from,owner of plate to driver.
when there should be only one or,two only, the city gave the plate to driver to drive, but,it's
nothing like that at all, person owns the plate sitting,at home or doing other business or job and
agents taking care of their plates and the plates goes one agent to other agent, who ever pays
them more because of that driver leases are going up and up and at the end of week not much
left for driver so drivers have to do 12 or more hours of shift and work 7 days to take some
money home for family. With bad ressation its getting harder and harder every day. We don't
want agents please driver should deal straight deal with owner of plates.,Thank you
hi,,1-My concern is to skipp the middle man role from the cab industry.The middle man is
increasing the risks for nothing.they charge high rate of cab lease increasing the the extra work
of cab drivers due to which more troubles are generating.
Hello Mr Mayor,Thank you very much for taking our comments.I am a driver and very much
stressed due to following reasons.,1.The taxicab license Plate owner and their agent increase
the lease every month or two.,2.The benefit like increasing meter rate city give to the drivers all
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goes to the owner's pocket.,3.An average driver is working 72 to 84 hours which is to much but
My Mayor,he is making not even $10/hour.,4.The Plate owner and agents are sitting home
doing nothing just enjoying the life.It may be business for them but not for the drivers.This is
our living MR Mayor. ,We the driver work very hard to make our living on the roads with the
increasing city traffic,Police ticketing and fare jumpers.You can understand dealing withe the
people is itself is not an easy job. ,The personal life of taxi cab driver is also very miserable and
painful Mr.Mayor.We are living with our families but spending only few hours with our children
in a week.If e take the day off we have to pay from our pocket because the driver take the taxi
for the week.,Mr.Mayor last but not the least Increasing the fare is making the owner and the
agents richer but on the other hand decreasing the affordability of public which means less
business for Cabdriver.,Thank you very much My Mayor.
I been driving taxi for more than 5 years. I think that the middle man between the drivers and
the owners must be finished so that the plate rents can come down. It will bring the leases
down a little. I would really like to see the taxi company to become a union, because there is no
one that I know that will represent me if something happens on the road. I would really like
some kind of organization which would represent the drivers in case of emergency situation. I
also request some sort of government control over the industry so the owners of the plate
cannot do what ever and when ever. The drivers mostly have to work 7days a week giving them
hardly any time for the family or social life.
The licence commision should issue more ambassador plates to those people on the waiting list
so they can make a better living. The drivers on the waiting list are tired of paying high shift
lease money to plate owners and garages. They are charging the drivers a lot of money even
though the drivers are not able to make money for theirselves. On the other hand those greedy
ambassadors on the road are asking to turn their plates to the regular type so that they can
make even more money but that's not going to be fair to the drivers who can not pay the lease
money and go home with a little bit money for their families and those owners are charging
way too much money, they don't care about the drivers. So please consider those poor drivers
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so they can have their ambassador plates to make a fairly decent living and some of us have
been waiting on the waiting list for 10 years or so and I don't see why we have to wait this long
when the licence commision is holding about 100 plates on their shelves, why aren't they reissuing those plates that are just laying around in their office. So the people who are in charge
of making a decision, please consider the drivers as soon as possible, thank you.
These are the few comments from my side.,- Taxi plates should be issuedby the city to all
drivers to avoid the garage owners monoply and the way they play with drivers and increased
the lease on daily basis.,- The garage or taxi owners/lease holder must pay taxes as the drivers
pay and the Revenue Canada should check the paper of all garge owners and txi plate lessee as
we know that they dont pay the taxes,and on the other hand they charege every thing from the
driver.,-The Garage owners charge 7% on credit and debit cars which is totaly wrong plus they
charge a 1.50 or 2.00 fee on debit transcations.it should be eliminated.if this measured is taken
the drivers will not refused the credit or debit card customer because they won"t lose the
money.,- There should not be specified taxi stands for ambassodar or palte owner every stand
should accessible for all taxi drivers to eliminate the discrimination,as the ambassador and plate
owners already making lot of money. ,1.eliminat the agents .2.there should be only one type of taxi license in Toronto either
ambassador or standard. 3.the taxi plate should be directley leased to the driver from the
owner no middle people. 4.increase the amount of fine for out of town cabs when they pick up
fares from Toronto.
what happen to the people on waiting list. when it will gone be their turn to get the
ambassader plate?
i am a cab driver from last 7 years. City of toronto should make some changes in their system.
they are as follow.,1. city should get rid of taxi plate agents. Beacuse these agents do nothing
and make money. They take Good will money from the people and lease them Plates. this
money the do not pay to the owner of the plate or pay that money back to the person who pay
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them. i have examples which i can provide .,2.city should regulate the leases of plates. people
are paying to much for plates. Agents do what they want to do.,3. if it is possible city should
give permision taht any body who will buy the new cars we will give him the plate. and city
should put the limit that he should only drive or lease it to one person only, via city.,4. city
should inforce drivers that they get their own insurance, beacuse the present system is very
poor. Many licenced drivers are driving but they are not rigistred. if city do this it will insure the
safe driving.,5. City should take control on the garage owners who are runing fleets. garage
owners are runing sub standerd cars, whith the minimum limit of repair.,6. city should replace
the people at D O T office. Garage owners and fleet owners have their personal relations with
them, and they pass their taxies by many means.,7. city should have some kind of arrangement
for drivers that if they want to report some misbehaving passangers they can. beacuse in the
present system passenger can only report but driver is helpless.,8. city should inform drivers
about the meetings sms or any other way. most of the time drivers do not know.,9. city should
give some kind of relief to the SHIFT DRIVERS, at present time a day driver is paying $540.00 per
week and night driver is paying $650.00 per week ,which is to much. with these kind of leases
driver is almost hanged.,10. city should make the dispatch system centerlise and give taxies one
color. this is very nesesery.,11. city should put limit on taxi meters. that they do not work after
12 hours. beacuse ambasaders drive at least 18 hours. some people have their own cars and
they have no time limit.,12. please make some kind of pention account for drivers. and add
some money in drivers lic renewal fee. which will help drivers in their old age
Our association has been working for defending rights for Livery Limousine drivers for over two
years. The total Livery plates issued by City of Toronto are 1050 plates. Our main concerns
are,,1. The Limousine driver has to change the car every five years,The law originally frame long
time ago for Taxis running in City of Toronto but in year 2004/05 this old law which was only for
Taxi amended, and livery Limousines running in City of Toronto added into this law.,Explanation
of Association,•Every Taxi which is running for 24 hours shift a day has two drivers, as compare
to Taxi a Limousine has only one shift, and only one driver is allowed to drive.,•As for price a
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new Taxi costs about $20,000, compare to a new Sedan Limousine is around $ 50,000.,•Taxi
driver is allowed to pick up at any place at any time in City of Toronto area, as compare to livery
Limousine driver is bound for prearrange pickups only.,•Note: Ambassador Taxi plate driver
driving a Taxi independently by law, and they change the Taxi after seven years as compare to a
livery Limousine driver also drives independently by law and change the Limousine every five
years.,2. Limousine driver is not to park their Limousines in the range of 200 m Premises,
Hotels, Offices etc.,•Airport Limousine from different cities such as Mississauga, Brampton,
Oakville, Whitby etc has a right to pickup customers from any destination without any
restriction of time to pickup or park their Limousines in City of Toronto as compare to livery
Limousine driver work for City of Toronto are not allowed to park Limousine within 200m time
restriction (15-20mintue) prearrange pickup. ,•There is no place or area available for livery
Limousine drivers to park their Limousines for pickup customers (prearrange & right away calls)
in particularly Downtown, Toronto.,•Every road or street in Downtown Toronto has Hotels,
offices, taxi stands etc, because of 200 m range restriction, a Limousine driver is not allowed to
park within these premises. Short time between 15-20 minutes prior to pickup, most times a
Limousine driver misses their pickups and loose business. ,•City of Toronto commissioners give
hard time to livery Limousine drivers due to restriction of 200m, a Limousine driver cannot go
for any break such as use washroom, coffee, lunch etc. Every coffee shop or restaurants in
Downtown Toronto are close to Hotels, Offices etc which allows a commissioner to give $ 240
staging ticket to Limousine driver. ,•Note: Association requesting if Airport Limousine of other
cities have a right to pickup in City of Toronto without any time of restriction and distance
(200m law), then we (City of Toronto) livery plate Limousines require to work in same pattern
without any restrictions of unnecessary laws.,•Without any livery license plate, or City of
Toronto issued license to run Limousine, people using private Limousine with private insurance
using these private Limousine for commercial purposes but there is no law for these illegal
Limousine running in City of Toronto and; No commissioner has a right to stop and issue a ticket
to these private Limousines running illegally for livery Limousine services.,Thank you very much.
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We have few issues as Toronto taxi drivers. Toronto has more taxis per person than other big
cities of the world and plus we have limos and private taxis. Traffic related issues and fines,
police, Long Hours, health problems and drivers can also be victims of violence, there are even
been cases of murder, at the end we pay too much lease for the garages now a days we are
paying 500 to 550 day shift and 600 to 650 night working 7 days a week and we are not making
enough money for ourselves even working long hours because of this we have some family
issues we are not well educated so can’t get other jobs.
lease of the cab is to high. How can you control the lease the plate owner should lease the plate
directly to driver thru city and fleet owner cab lease is to high 635/per weak+10 percent
charges If city of toronto realy serios to do somthing about driver appreaciate thanks happy
holidays
I have been driving since 1988. While driving I got shot in 1999. For this reason, my family
encouraged me not to put my name on the list for an Ambassador permit. They felt the industry
was too dangerous. I am driving shift with a garage and it is too expensive. I am on the
Ambassador list now and I hope I can get an Ambassador permit.
Dear taxi review members first of all thank you for the opportunity to say something regarding
the industry. My suggestion involve three important issues facing this industry. ,1/ I heard many
ambassador drivers including my best friends complain about not having extra driver or not
having a regular plate. The fact that the ambassador drivers are complaining about not having
enough income can be disqualified by the kind of house they are purchasing since they come to
be the owner of the plate, and also that other 7000+ drivers are able to make a living after
paying 2600 + per single shift to the taxi owners. So I believe this is nothing more but greed. In
fact I personally know many drivers who work full time as a bus driver and still holding on to the
plate assuming the plate would be a standard plate and would cash in 300,000. So the issue
Ambassador drivers complain about is to lock the industry with same people who do not want
others to have a chance to get a share of the dividend in the industry after serving Toronto for
so long.,2/ I happen to witness and collect a complaint from passengers who are not getting
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help from the drivers in a time of need, such as loading grocery or luggage. This seems a
complete failure to the industry that the public is not getting served properly, in fact, many of
my customers get shocked when I get out of the car load and unload their belonging. ,3/
accessibility, as we know the population is not only aging the elders are living longer, and as a
result the demand for accessible service cannot be any greater ever since I started driving a
taxi, so the city should come up with some solution to address this issue.
sir please control garages pleople they offer plate owner they offer more plate rent and they
get plate and they increase lease for driver which they suffer we work like donkey 12 hours shift
we dont have social life please try for diver and agents should be finsh god bless for chairman
,and for city which is review good thing taxi busines is big mess plate rent is goning everage
2100 is tomuch tomuch should be control they think we have factory
Survival of Taxi Industry in Toronto,1. Reduce Taxi fare like New York, USA to make it more
affordable for everyone.,2. Reduce the number of taxis in the city. Even though Toronto is a big
city, the taxi user population is very low. In the city, everywhere we can see empty taxis. All taxi
stands are overcrowded; if one customer calls,many taxis rush to catch it at a time. ,3. Stop the
taxi driver training for at least four years to protect the current drivers from unemployment and
being forced to work on low wages. ,4. Stop the expansion of TTC and other means which are a
heavy burden on the government. The government can share the responsibility with the private
sector. ,5. Make limitations on other transportation means such as limousine, shuttle buses,
airport services and private services.,In my view, every party involved in the taxi business is
thinking only about their own interests. The city is interested in getting more income from taxi
training schools, licence renewal fees and other taxi fees.Insurance and brokerage companies,
and taxi garages are increasing their dues on every opportunity.
This is an absloute taxi review platform. I certainly consider this venture would bring revolution
in the Cab Industry.
Hi I have been driving taxi cab in city of Toronto for the past eight years. I have observed many
ups and downs in the past few years. I have few concerns and suggestions which might be of
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interest to you while you guys are drafting new policies for taxi industry.,Every one knows that
traffic is a big issue in city of toronto for many years and we are one of the most effected
parties in this business.Our infrastructure is not ready enough to handle that many cars in the
city. Highways are blocked during rush hours. there are thousands of new condos coming in
market which means more cars and more traffic. the only solution to this problem is imposing
some type of toll or tax on cars coming to down town area and taxis should be exempted. this
will force people to change their mode of transportation to public or taxis ,which eventually
could bring lot of revenue for the city.,when I started driving taxi in 2003 the weekly lease/rent
was $350 ,these days its $550/week. People think that since then meter rate has gone up many
times so they assume we are making handsome amount of money, well this is not true at all. As
a matter of fact our income in going down every day because of inflation and leases.,Another
big issue is illegal limos picking up fares from city of toronto. if city is unable to enforce the law
then i think we should fight for toronto cabs to be allowed to pick passengers from pearson
airport.,I have talked to many passengers that toronto cabs are very expensive. I tell them every
time that its the expenses to run a cab that keep the fare very high. we can all bring the fare
fairly 20- 30% down by eliminating the plate rent which is $1900-$ 2000. which could bring
more business. I remember when last time fare was raised we lost all $5.0 runs because now it
starts from 4.25 and ends to $7 within three or four blocks. If city takes back all the plates we
would love to rent a plate from city at nominal price which could again some revenue for
city.,There are not enough taxi stands to accommodate aprox 5000 cabs,we need more
stands.,We should be allowed to leave our car on taxi stand for 10 minutes grace period
unattended to go for coffee or washroom. we dont have any choice but to take chances all day
and still we get parking infractions.,I hope these concerns and suggestions will help you in
making laws which will bring a healthy taxi industry for happy clients and our families.
Beck taxi offering 10% which is unfair,taxi cab drive already have low income, it should not be
like that.,Radio must be remove it is very pain ful for drivers as well as customers
also,dispatcheres use rough and unfair language and it violate secrecy rules also.
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Need Security of life Insurance policy Auto insurance And Job insurance
why Garages own 30 caps, where most of the taxi smell like garbage, and likely most of them
should be out of road. but if the city would open for us to get Plate i will take care of my taxi
because that is mine, we rent we bay money and garages do not care about me or the
customer. Please have standard price to lease plate or buy it. It looks very corrupted which i
have not seen even in Russia countries.
I wish for the City of Toronto to bring fairness to the taxi industry by allowing Ambassador
licence owners to operate a successful business by being able to rent or sell their licence as is
the case for owners of regular licence plates. The current restrictions imposed upon our
licences are completely unfair and place us at a terrible disadvantage. For years I have made
sure to provide safe and secure service to the public of Toronto by following strict conditions
imposed for Ambassador drivers to offer high quality customer service in clean, comfortable
taxis which need to be replaced on a regular basis. The program was to employ the most
courteous, knowledgeable and experienced drivers and we had to follow courses such as CPR to
be the best for our city. I hope that the taxi review will correct our industry and make it fair for
us all as this business model should not be solely linked to one's health. My only wish for 2013
is for the City to turn Ambassador cabs into standard cabs and such create value for them.
I just want to renew my lease of the plate price up from 1700 to1925 monthly we need help
somebody isaid no answer was bring back the plate
I was in the waithing list until 1999 i disided to envest while i am in the waithing list.as soon as i
bought the plate the city instade of encurdge they revoke my name from the waiting list . is
that fare? in this free economic sosity as adriver i deserve to get aplate from the city acording
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to waiting list. But insted city give free plate by the name of ambasador where is justce. you
know what i mean .this is not soshalist country.look at this i work hard bought the plat city
apruved it i am acitzen ambasader driver citzen where is justce know you guys you want change
ambassador to standared if you do so
Our taxi company supports Independent drivers and believes the current setup is unfair to
them. Independent drivers, due to city restrictions, slow economy and rising gas prices are
forced to work 10-12 hours a day, 7 days a week only to bring in a minimum wage which does
not cover their extensive expenses. If drivers get sick they are forced to work, drivers can't
afford to take a vacation, they have no time for family or socializing....they are basically stuck in
a high expense/ low pay cycle with no hope.,The city's Ambassador program has improved
customer satisfaction and customer safety, that's good, but the business owner should also be
allowed to lease his car for a second shift just like current standard plate owners can do. By
allowing the driver to lease to a second shift the driver can reduce his hours, allowing more
time with family, if the driver gets sick the driver would have some income to pay
expenses.,The city should help to bring back taxi customers, giving opportunities for new and
exciting types of services such as pure app based dispatch as long as they license with the city
and follow the city's rules and regulations.,Accessible taxi's are extremely expensive and there
is no incentive to the driver, there is not enough business for a pure accessible taxi service. The
city could raise meter rates by 10 cents across the board in order to raise funds to help off-set
the driver costs of converting their cabs. All taxi"s should be dual purpose so drivers can pick up
disabled and regular fares.,The city should sponsor a electric taxi pilot, a fleet of 100% electric,
0 emission taxis could benefit the city in many ways such as:,Reducing long term health care
costs,Reducing independence on foreign oil,Improving Toronto's image and tourism,Reducing
noise and deadly carbon emissions,Eliminating driver gas expense and drastically reducing
drivers maintenance fees,A solution is available now.
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Please keep in touch
Please keep in touch
As i am a taxi driver since 1990 in toronto i am a concrned citzen where toronto become a too
tired taxi industry which has so many opretional system in one industry. i whould like to see the
change of this too tired system and make toronto a disent city with a well supported taxi
drivers who can provied a good service to the public. and i whould also like to see the fair
distrbution of plate for the people who has been driving a cab for such a long time.and i
support the TRP that will make a good servay on this issue. and thank you
I think I'm already on your Taxicab review e-mail listing, but I wanted to make sure I was on the
list for TRP information and findings. I am also a member of the Disability Issues Committee at
City Hall an part of the transportation sub-committee.
we already stated that toronto taxi plate rentals become beggers because the said plate owners
are freely increasing rent or removing their plates.plate rental's neck is always in their
hands.multy plates operators are paying the increased rent even extra buck under the
table.they know that the drivers can't go any where.because out side, there is no job
available,if seniors or old drivers don't want to pay the shift increase, there are hundrads of
new drivers available.they will hire them and use them as their slaves.This is a new kind of
slavery system established by the toronto taxi inforcement or city taxi bearucratics.For this we
are blaming the company.Taxi bi-laws are there to keep the system in control but they bypass
the bi-laws by making their own excuses.We already said that present inforcement is
responsible for the whole mess,it need to bring back on the track.We already said-does not
matter,for how many years workshops are going to study the industry,there will not be a
workable,affordable or fair solution untill all authorities are depend on city and companys;Lots
of public money had been wasted for nothing.now another party hired from out side to fix the
problem.Problem is sitting on the table,we already said,many of the responsible and outspoken
law makers and responsible athourities are aware of the reality but don't want to go for that
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bacause they do not want to make their friends mad who are grabing the drivers income by
using loop-holes given by the inforcement.This is our under standing that hiring the people
from outside or any where is not going to solve the problem,this is wasting of the time and
wasting of the money this is going infavour of taxi driver money grabers by giving them more
time to keep grab drivers money.There is no need to talk this time for issueing more plates or
not,first need to clean the mess.Remove all of those crook stake holders out of this industry
and stop to recoganise them as stake holder.for this if any one need our help,we are available
any time.Otherwise this is a another scam.
That why we are behind the usa. I thought Russia was the corrupted country. No money no
pleat. Poor landed immigrant.
Smaller and more fuel efficient/hybrid cars would be beneficial to taxicab drivers' wallets AND
the environment!
Would use cabs much more often if there were eco-cab options such as hybrid/prius cabs.
Currently, I avoid cabs due to the amount of idle time they consume, especially in the
downtown core. I cannot justify supporting these habits until there are better options. Thank
you.
While I realize this is not the central focus of this review, my family and I are very concerned
with two aspects of the taxi cabs of Toronto: 1. The general cleanliness of cabs in Toronto
overall is poor and at times, horrible. 2. The cars are supposed to be non-smoking but often are
evidently not once you are captive inside of them. This is truly very upsetting and unhealthy,
never mind illegal. We were recently in Berlin where all cabs are always clean, often electric
and consistently nonsmoking. Surely a city that calls itself "world class" can expect the same!
The minimum (or entry) fare is simply too high - and I'm sure it will rise in the future. Compared
to other great cities in the world (Paris, New York, Istanbul) the minimum fare is really steep. I
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work in a late night industry where I rely on cabs constantly, and a $8 fare to just go down the
street is really high, due to the high rate for the minimum fare.
I agree with Taxis being hybrid vehicles.,I suggest that Taxis' have speed limiters activate at 100
kph.
I am driving taxicab for last five years. I wrote previously my comments but it seems that my
and many sensible drivers voice is still being ignored. ,I think there is a great need for city to
educate taxicab drivers on the benefits of Ambassador program (especially with option to have
second driver ). ,I request the city administration to make serious efforts in this direction. Its
not only the best approach for today but for generations to come.,Sincerely.
Considering the horrendous air quality of Toronto, and the ensuing bad image it has received
for it from the public, I would suggest we take the opportunity emerging from this review to
transition our taxicabs to smaller hybrid vehicles for Toronto. Our growing city has a lot to learn
from countries such as Sweden, who are leaders in greening their fleet of public transport
vehicles, and creating real incentives for its population in ride-sharing or biking (e.g. priority
lanes for public transit buses and bikes at traffic lights).
I wish to comment on two areas...complaints and training. I recently called to complain about a
cab driver. Toronto Licensing told me this driver had a good record but when I had earlier called
the cab company directly to complain, the cab company told me the driver had been suspended
for similar activity. I believe this is an issue because it relies on the customer reporting their
complaint twice when really it should only be once. I think many customers believe reporting to
the company alone is sufficient, when clearly in this example it is not. A complaint to the
company should be automatically shared with Toronto Licensing, if it pertains to anything
between customers/public and cab drivers, to keep the company accountable and the City
aware of all issues.,Secondly, I have a comment about training. I'm a cyclist and find many cab
drivers, let alone all road users, don't understand the rights of a cyclist on the road. The training
for cab drivers should incorporate basic fundamentals of cycling infrastructure (bike boxes,
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what they are...) but also a refresher on how to safely co-exist with cyclists on the road, similar
to other motorists.,Further on that, I believe that cab drivers should be reminded that yes, you
can park in the bike lane while picking up/dropping up a fair, but a bike lane is NOT a taxi stand.
I find many cab drivers use it as such and cab companies should discourage this
behaviour.,Thanks for your time.
I think all taxi drivers should be allowed to pickup passengers from Union Station,Royal York
Hotel,King Edward Hotel.City should treat all drivers equally, as we all pay the same fee for the
taxi Licence. It is time to make a lot of changes as we drivers are struggling to survive.There
should all be a control on garage owners,so that they shall not keep on raising the weekly rent
for taxi's.
There never should have been Ambassador Plates.They messed with something They new
nothing about..I am a third generation Toronto Boy I bought mine worked hard to pay for it.Got
taken off the Drivers List because I bought one That was wrong there should have been only
one list..I served my time & got no reward for my hard work.Drove all the years.
Dear Sir / Madam,please if you have family with kids and also if you want this world a better
place for everybody please do some thing for the standard taxi shift drivers who are driving for
somebody i am not talking about agents, lessee's, brokerages or plate owners because it is
getting realy hard and tough for me to get a goal of decent living in the city i can not take some
extra time for my kids they want to go to amusement parks for vacations and for movies but i
cannot afford that honest to god if the weekly taxi rent is going up like the way its going so far i
have no other choice but to ask for social assistance from the government so far me and any of
my family member never take any welfare or other social benefits. so please do some justice
and fair regulations in the favor of taxi drivers if you need more information please contact me.
Thanks and God Bless.
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I use Taxi's as a last resort. Every couple of years I get a ride from a taxi and reminded why I
should have just walked. They are not well maintained and not well driven. I would prefer to
see less taxi's on the road instead of more. The 2013 Survey only supports this group instead of
asking if they should reduce their numbers. If you ever ride a bicycle around the city taxi's are
even more rude than typical drivers. Part of getting a taxi license should be to ride a bicycle
around downtown Toronto for up to 6 months.
Taxi cab drivers should face stricter license requirements, stiffer fines and greater policing. Too
often cabs are driven in careless, illegal and dangerous ways. It is far too easy for cab drivers.
Instead of setting a standard that all drivers can follow, they often demonstrate a total lack of
professionalism.
The Taxi/cab transportations are keep growing, since the demands of the rapid growth
populations are so high.,However, better trained drivers to provide good customer services are
important.,Since the past 50 years, many Municipal Laws has been placed, for better service.
These will continue for future to come.,Curiously, how safe is taking a Cab?,Most drivers are
soliciting illegally, to give ride to individuals.,Do some drivers allowed their Cabs to strangers
who are using the Cabs to transport young Girls to be raped?,
Dear sir or madam,To my understanding about bylaws"By-law 706-2005, as amended by By-law
1417-2007, and By-law,217-2006 (together the “Limousine Licensing By-laws”).Limousine and
livery customers has to book a call 20 minutes prior to service. If that's not the case please let
me know. If that's right most of the companies or doorman are not complying with the By
law.Why our enforcing staff is unable to enforce that. It's not a rocket science when other
enforcement agencies perform sting operations or methods such as. And why for a matter
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where industry so vanurable pnelty is so low. Me and my friends we got licence eight years ago.
Most of them were very honest and respectful drivers. Now after years of hardship and helpless
most of them are turned to limousine and livery business. where you don't have to obey almost
any laws. and always suggest me to do the same thing.,My question to you is ,Is there no way
left in out city to earn honest and respectful living?,City's law enforcement agency cannot
afford even a single dedicated officer on these issues?,If they are doing their duty how many
people got fined for this last year and where this is heading for people with multiple
offences?,If our enforcement officers only job is control overcrowding taxi stands and such as
why don't our city use parking enforcement officers and can save some money which can be
used in some useful ways for city?,Best Regard,Hopeless
I, think MLC will form Taxi Rent and Lease Control board. All of standered Taxi Plate will lease
through with this board by selecting standard price and also fix shift of rent price.Also they can
hear complain,make judgement.Also they have power to stop all kind of fair scoopers.,I, think it
is the best way to help regular drivers.
1. The Review Team has done a good job with the 2012 Taxicab Industry Review so far.
We believe that the value a dispatch service provide is consistent with new technology options.
Increase of parcel price. Increase of per extra person price in van. Not to convert ambassaders
into standards. Taking upfront payment if needed in trouble. Stoppage of cooking by hotel
doorman. Pick and choose by doorman to give passenger to taxis. Stoppage of illegal taxis by
increasing price fine.
There are too many taxis on the road. Downtown there are too many taxis. Taxi stands are full.
There is no place for taxis to park. There is no need for conversion of Ambassador Taxi Plates to
Standard taxi plates as there are already too many taxis on the road. The ambassador owners
already signed the agreement that they are to keep the ambassador plate as is. There are too
many taxis 24 hours a day on the road. Because of the number of taxis on the road, drivers are
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already having a very hard time making a living driving taxi. I hope you will give all of this some
serious thought before taking any big steps.
What help we can get to get cheap insurance.
My main issues are cost, inconsistency of service and, as someone living downtown, drivers
refusing my fare because I'm usually a short fare. Mostly, I'm sympathetic to the plight of
drivers for being paid too little for a difficult job (though I also think many of them are lousy
drivers - and I say this as another driver sharing the road as much as a customer).,I think the
industry should be market-driven. Regulation should provide licenses at a fee to operate that
entail safety requirements, but not much else. If I owned a cab company, competition would
drive me to make sure drivers were courteous and knowledgeable, the cars were safe and
clean, and I would not allow drivers to refuse rides and would ensure all areas of the city were
serviced (with varying service levels to deal with low volume areas). Actually, drivers would
earn a wage and not be dependent on fares, though would keep tips. I would have service
guarantees and make sure people would go out of the way to travel in my cabs because the
experience was good value and far superior to my competition.
We strongly contend that having a standard desogn for an accessible taxi will benifit all drivers,
owners, the disabled and general public. This will also allow for 24/7 availability of an accessible
taxi.
Wheelchair Cabs in Toronto are Over-charging persons with disabilities.,on Thursday, May 24,
2012 at 1:52pm •...,I have decided to file a human rights complaint against the Toronto Cabs
who charge a minimum of $30.00 for persons with wheelchairs, no matter how far the trip.,I
wanted to book a 5 minute cab ride and called many companies; EVERY one of them told me it
would be a minimum of $30.00. I asked why persons with disabilities are being charge more,
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they stated that it was because it is SO EXPENSIVE to equip a wheelchair accessible van.,I am
sick of this blatant discrimination no one will do anything about! I have been doing some
research. Apparently it is illegal for them to charge us more, but they do it anyways. The city
councillor in charge of fares stated more people with disabilities need to complain to see any
change. I don't really think it's fair for us to have to change this, but if they want a war, they got
it!,Also, Ottawa, Vancouver, and all of the America cities I visited (San Francisco, Boston,
Austin), don't have this. Why does Toronto? There is no reason for it. If Vancouver and Ottawa
make it work, we need to start doing it too! It makes no sense. They probably will make more
money if they gave equitable prices since I would take cabs more often. As it stands now, I
refuse to be taken advantage of in such a manner.,Please let me know if you want to also join
me in making this human rights complaint. One person will not change this thing, we need to
make a statement. Email me if interested.. I will probably try to do it in the next few
weeks.,Please forward to anyone who may be interested.,
2.., Taxis are supposed to post a Passengers Bill of Rights. You do not have to pay. I will join you
in a Human Rights Application - it'll be fun. In fact a friend of mine and I wrote a whole research
paper on the Taxi Industry. The Municipal Licensing Act prohibits this overcharging and is
working hard on this very issue. Let me know what I can do. May 24, 2012 at 9:22pm • '
1.., I'm in,May 24, 2012 at 11:09pm.., Disgusting. Count me in.,May 24, 2012 at 11:48pm.., So
proud of you. I'm going through the same process in Montréal right now. We are in mediation
with one taxi company.,May 24, 2012 at 11:51pm • 1.., At the Québec human rights
commission.,May 24, 2012 at 11:51pm.., how do I share this not en masse? can you make a FB
page? I know a lot of people who will be outraged and join the cause!,May 24, 2012 at 11:55pm
• 2.., I'm in! I was going to suggest that woman and the "friend of hers" would be in too, but it
seems they beat me to it!:),I'm also going to pitch this as a story to NOW Magazine today. ,May
25, 2012 at 10:29am via mobile • 1.., im in have the same problems,May 25, 2012 at 11:44am..,
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Thanks everyone! I feel so optimistic with all this support. I will make a page as you suggest.
Then post a game plan!!!,May 25, 2012 at 5:09pm • 2.., hi all I just got off the phone. disability
law clinic about the overcharging of wheelchair taxis they said we have a case section 79 as well
is a direct contravention they send they would be happy to completing human rights complaint
for us as a group. I think we should all file together. I said I would, within a week, once I got
feedback from you guys. Thanks June 8, 2012 at 5:04pm..,.,.
I fell like if the ambassadors dont get to keep their own plates then we have been cheated in a
way . Iput down my name for standard plate in 1990 instead I was given ambassador Dont you
think is not right Since Canada pride itself as a democratic society and everybody is entitled to
pension after working for 25 years if you tell me to continue working till I drop that is not
fair.We are crying for your help to come to our aid and let us a driver or let us own the plate or
let the city give us pension since our lively hood depends on this now we have nowhere to turn
for help. You are our last hope. You gave us hope when I immigrated to this county almost 30
years ago Dont let us die in despair Thank you
1. Issue more Ambassadors ! ,Liberate the drivers from the tirany of the the garages.,There are
not enough taxis in the whole city. All cabs stay downtown. The rest of the city is
underserved.,2. Open the Pearson Airport to the Toronto city taxis to pick up the passengers,
most of them are coming into our city anyway. Why are they served by taxis from other
jurisdictions? Who pay the Toronto city taxes and fees? Us or they? This annomaly is unique in
the whole North America. See Chicago and N York taxis legislation! Pearson Airport is federal
land. ,3. Get rid of all bad taxi drivers!,4. Paint all cabs yellow and one standard roof light.,God
help !,
I have mostly taken cabs in Ottawa and Toronto. My commnents: In Ottawa the taxi driver's
picture and information are clearly posted on the back of one of the front seats and in large
print. One can see clearly that the driver is licensed. Great. Not so great is the fact that I had to
either take the entire ride with open windows in winter or hot summer when the driver just
reeked of lack of higiene. A couple of times had to find some excuse to take another cab...just
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could not bear it.,In Toronto, I have taken rides in cabs that were not well maintained. Often in
cabs driven by what I believe were illegals or not licensed drivers, picture or name of the driver
no where to be seen. ,Thank you.
I didn't like your selection process , I don't understand why someone from a taxi company was
not selected. I will like to recommend the fallowing issues that should be resolved
immediately:,- convert all Ambassadors to standard plates. ( this will lower Plate lease and
lower shift rates for drivers),-stop all the illegal cabs from stealing our business.,-brokerage that
is licensed in Toronto should not be allowed to operate in other cites. driver should be allowed
to ask for prepayment,- stop the hotel doorman that is colecting cookies
Taxi Bill of Rights,Service requirements that apply to all private taxi companies:,Cannot refuse
to serve a person with a disability who can use taxi vehicles;,Cannot charge higher fares or fees
for carrying individuals with disabilities and their equipment than are charged to other
persons;,Must provide assistance with the stowing of mobility devices (wheelchairs, walkers,
etc.); and,Must allow service animals to ride with passengers with disabilities.
To whom if they consider it may concern! ,Kindly take care of the interests of this useless specie
called a shift driver. City doesn't want to intervene in the finances but one way or another
should put a cap on the shift charges which are inhumane. No other major metropolitan area in
the developed world have issues as much as Toronto does. For an outsider they seem as
discriminatory rules where prehistoric old guys are allowed all the privileges but this new breed
with more melanine segmentation and heavy accented English who is believed to be either a
cheat or a sub standard humanoid. It's true. Anyways yes! Counter argument should be "get out
of here or do something else" . Please if nothing is possible then atleast "don't do anything"
because whenever something is done it always went against the shift driver. Another issue is
that in Toronto all the legislation and the by laws are enforced and force fed on the drivers but
other gta surroundings have somewhat human-esque attitude with their cab operators. The out
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of town taxicabs are scooping flag fares on high ratios but Toronto drivers are closely watched
and ticketed especially in city of Vaughan and Mississauga. This half retarded forces seem like
picking on their own driving class people where there are no warnings but straight away the
ticket books are opened. I have seen discriminated attitudes on numerous occasions and police
specie has never been able to show up on a cab related incident where the cab driver is on the
receiving end. Anyways take care of your finances as usual but show some humanity too to do
the right thing by addressing the issues of this targeted breed called the shift drivers!
I would like to see effective measures taken to stop the practise of taxis and other vehicles
illegally stopping/parking on streets. My main concern is with Church St. north and south of
Bloor. There are safety issues and congestion created by this on going practise
Toronto is a city in urgent need of a renewed and expanded mass transit system. I seldom take
taxis because they are way too expensive for me. Taxi drivers have to work very long shifts to
make very little money (unless they own their own taxi license). So both the public and the
employees are not adequately served while someone (presumably the license owners and
dispatchers) are getting wealthy. Toronto's taxi system benefits a few at the expense of many.
When I'm in New York City I take taxis regularly. They are much less expensive than taxis here.
Toronto's taxi system is dysfunctional, the TTC is barley functioning, some bold moves that alter
and unify these two disparate systems might, paradoxically, result in something that works.
Deregulate or Not to Deregulate?,That is the Billion Dollar Question!,As licensed taxi driver i
have witness many injustices that shifts drivers go through daily, it's an industry fulled by greed
.,The city should take the time and not to be rushed to draft a half baked policy. Open market
means, more money for the city coffer, open market means to shift drivers balancing work, life
and family time. Open market means more choice for the public, specially for seniors .. Is it fair
in a big metropolis like Toronto to have only 85 accessible taxi plates?,If Ambassadors drivers
are saying that they are having hard time making ends meet; take a look the numbers of hybrid
cars they are driving! Economy 101 if Ambassadors drivers want to save money for their
retirement which in fact no one is promised in this day and age , they can put up to $2000 a
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month in a saving account and "Voilà" in 10 years time they have a retirement nest. When in
fact shift drivers pay from $2200 a month per 12 hours shift .,My dad and I had purchased a car
in 2009 and leased a plate from a garage, we both work 12hrs per shift 6 days of the week; but
now the owner of the plate is recalling his plate cause according to the garage someone is
offering him a better monthly lease amount. We are currently paying $2100 a month for just
the plate. Insurance, maintenance of the car is our responsibility.,We beg him to give us at least
a bit of time for us to find another plate for lease, and it's been 6 months and we have not got
any. The owner of the plate has give us a deadline by april 1 2013 whether we like it or not the
plate is coming of the car. I have talked to the MLS about it and the response i got was too bad
there is nothing we can do!,My appeal to the review team is to deregulate this industry and
help the ten of thousands licenced taxi drivers who are caught in this non-sense
"brouhaha".,Sincerely.
Called back from voicemail. Notes pasted here:,• She is a senior, lives downtown, has a
disability, concerns about taxi service. ,• Heard a driver assaulted a woman, but has been fired.
Wants more frequent criminal background checks. A woman in the clubbing district was
assaulted by the driver. Doesn't feel that there is priority news. She is a senior. ,• Can walk with
great pain. Feels vulnerable and takes cabs at 1 in the morning. Doesn't know if the driver has
been driving too many hours and is exhausting. Cab driver didn't stop at any stop signs. Felt too
unsafe to challenge him.,• Takes cabs home from grocery. Doesn't like that she has to take the
first cab in line. Doesn't want to take certain companies. Had a driver refuse her because he
wasn't the first driver.,• Doesn't like being refused for short fare. More and more seniors need
to be looked after. ,• Educated rider on 311, taxi numbers and other info.
Every year lease goes up, in terms of Plate rent, Insurance, dispatch fees, same affect happens
when an all three commponents in consolidation with garages, meter amount is same, and I
dont expect this will go more up because Toronto meter is very famous expensive already, in
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other words who ever is responsible for non-controlling of above mentioned commponents can
push things further up day by day which is forcing the drivers to go for supplementary income
which is welfare, I request the concern authority to look into this matter seriously or else let the
companies increase more Plate rents, Insurance and dispatch fees so that we can see more
worst can happen!!!
We need one type of License in Toronto and NOT the current two tier system.
I've exchanged a few emails with Vanessa Fletcher in which I included many comments and
questions.
I am a custodian for a corporation that requires me to attend a Taxicab owner's refresher
course which I attended in October, I am also a Taxicab Driver which I am required to attend a
Taxicab Driver refresher course which I will be attending in April. I don't understand why I am
required to attend both refresher courses. A taxicab owner that drives his or her's own taxi is
not required to attend both courses. This is just a waste of my time & money, it seems like a
cash grab for The City of Toronto & providing a job for MLS staff.,Sincerly
Why do other cities have decent cab drivers, but not Toronto? Every cab driver drives like he is
a race car driver. I think you need to control the number of cab drivers so they don't have to
work 12 hour shifts to make money. Hopefully, you can attract people with some level of
professionalism. Also, this rule about not having cars more than 5 years is ineffective. It just
leads cab drivers to buy smaller cars. The key is properly maintaining the car, not the age. In
any case, 5 years is a long time for a car that is being driven 24 hours a day.
I wish for the City of Toronto to bring fairness to the taxicab industry by allowing Ambassador
licence owners to operate a successful business by being able to rent or sell their licence as is
the case for owners of regular licence plates. The current restrictions imposed upon our
licences are completely unfair and place us at a terrible disadvantage. For years I have made
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sure to provide safe and secure service to the public of Toronto by following strict conditions
imposed for Ambassador drivers to offer high quality customer service in clean, comfortable
taxis which were replaced on a regular basis. The program was to employ the most courteous,
knowledgeable, and experienced drivers and we had to follow courses such as CPR to be the
best for our city. I hope that the taxicab review will correct our industry and make it fair for us
all as this business model should not be solely linked to one's health. My only wish for 2013 is
for the City of Toronto to turn Ambassador cabs into standard cabs and such create value for
them.
Please address the issue of patrons ability to pay for taxis with credit cards in Toronto. Toronto
is one of the only major cities I travel to in North America, where cab drivers sigh, groan, or
sneer when a client attempts to pay the fare with a credit card. Some simply refuse to accept it,
or say that "the machine is broken". It is an embarrassing punchline to jokes from business
colleagues who travel to Toronto from more sophisticated places, like say Ottawa or Calgary,
where credit cards are a regular part of commerce! Airport limos and flat rate taxis from the
airport have become much better at consistently accepting plastic, probably after scuffles with
incredulous international travelers who insist on it. However regular taxis are still giving people
a hard time when they want to pay with credit.,Recently, some drivers have been adding a
$1.50 surcharge to credit card transactions in Toronto cabs. Since that violates the credit card
rules, it's likely the practice will be shut down at some point, but it is preferable to being told
we can't use a credit card. My understanding is that cabbies' dislike of cards is due to the
exorbitant fees the cab owners charge the cabbies for accepting credit cards. This has to
change. Please ensure the matter is being reviewed as part of the taxicab review.,Regards.
Taxi companies strongly recommend that the City of Toronto amend the Passenger Bill of Rights
to clearly indicate that it is a violation of the Human Rights Code and the Toronto Municipal
Code to charge a customer who requires an accessible cab a rate or fee greater in relation to
what customers are charged for non-accessible taxicabs. Customers should also be made aware
than any additional charges for the service or time associated with loading or unloading of a
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wheelchair is also prohibited.,We also recommend that the City of Toronto include a specific
prohibition of these practices in the Tariff Notice.
instead of converting Ambassador license owners to standard plates convert them to Accessible
license plates
Industry has become joke, no control leases, most of the license owners dont drive, enjoy their
profit sitting at home, agents work on behalf of them, mostly agents are attached to the
companies, its totally haraasement to the driver from uprising gas prices, agents who increase
plate rent every year, takes plate rent on paper shows $1200/- monthly but they need cash of
$600/- monthly the total is $1800/- plate rent per month, b'coz agents are having issues with
CRA, driver is taking all risk and in danger every time at road, drivers are working like a dog for
these agents, if you are driving garage car this expensive than buying a gold, I blame the city
totally, because rich people lobbying this industry, city must control the leases, or adapt the
system like city of Montreal, who ever wants to drive a cab welcome, even if I'm earning 60
dollars per day thats mine, I dont have to share with anybody or agents, but these days earning
under 8dollars not a good sign for the drivers, better to work with Mcdonald if they hire,
nobody wants to hire 45 year old person, please please, eradicate the system of agents who are
attached to the companies, they are working hand in hand, one person is getting richer day by
day thousands are working for that person, this is not good, if thousands are earning good they
contribute to economy, by buying house or other things, only house is attached to different
taxes, like property tax, land transfer tax, electricity, water etc, etc.
This review will have zero importantance if the drivers are paying $600 or $650 lease per
week..........waste of time and waste of money on review.
Im sick and tired of the low standard of cab drivers in this city! It is unacceptable that we allow
these people to continue to offer second rate service, in run down beat up ex-police cars. Here
is my first observation; drivers who carry the Ambassador licence are almost always perfect.
clean cars, well mannered, and knowledgeable. But drivers holding the other licence are an
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embarrassment to the city of Toronto. There is not a trip that i take in a regular cab that im not
faced with a driver who does not know where he is going, cant find major streets, purposely
takes a long rout which adds time and money to the trip. drivers who talk on their cell phone
the entire trip, loudly and in their own language. Drivers who claim the Air Conditioning does
not work because they are to cheap to run it. Drivers who smell bad, Drivers who are rude,
Drivers who keep their radio blasting, drivers who blast their radio station, Drivers who claim
not to have change in hopes that you will just give them the bill. Drivers who pretend not to
know how to count money in an attempt at ripping you off, drivers who lie about having debit.
,I also think as a major city we should have debit on all cabs, and once Presto is fully
implemented we should have presto in cabs too. There should be a city wide cab, and a city
wide cab hailing application,
Dear Sir,,One of my suggestion is that a taxi plate owner should not be allowed to sell the taxi
plate .If the owner of taxi plate want to sell his plate he should surrender the plate to the MLS
and the MLS sell this plate to the taxicab driver who want to buy the taxi plate.There should be
list for the taxicab drivers who want to become the owner of taxi plate.Please take control of all
toronto taxi plates from the people who are not driving cabs as these owner of taxi plates are
acting as big landlords.MLS should make arrangement that all working cab drivers should have
same working expenses.I hope that my suggestions would be considered.,Thanks.
Would like to be informed and provided information on the final review report
I would like to suggest that taxis should not be permitted to gobble up the much needed publc
spaces in front of Princess Margaret Hospital. I drive 2and a half hoursdaily into TO to take my
mum in for cancer treatment. Parking in the garage behind the hospital costs 20 dollars for an
hour...parking along University is 3 dollars per hour! Unfortunately, whenever I try to park on
University I notice that the bulk of the spaces are occupied by taxis. Sadly, the city doesn't even
get to collect $$$for those much needed and appreciated spaces because the cabs don't
purchase tickets for the time that they are parked there.
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I was unable to work for 18 months and ran into a lot of debts. I hope the city will come up with
some solution for Ambassador drivers if they go sick. it is too late for me to look for another
job,thanks
PLEASE TRANSFER AMBASSADOR PLATES TO OTHER DRIVERS WHO ARE ON WAITING LIST FOR
TEN YEARS. AND ALSO ELIMINATE THE MIDDLE MAN IN THIS INDUSTRY AND ALSO TAKE CARE
OF TAXI INSURANCE WHICH IS BIG PROBLOM.,THANKS
Hi Taxi Review Unit,,I am driving taxi since Aug,2000,and bought taxi plate couple years ago
WORTH 328000 .I seen too many empty taxis on every streets in toronto,so in my opinion we
do not need any more plates in toronto to save taxi industry .Thanking you.
I got ask a question .,I m full time day shift driver i pay weekly lease $545 and every day i make
an,Average 175 to 200 dollors after paying ,My gas so it takes me 3 days to cover my,Lease and
i have to work next 4 days to ,Survive and if i take 1 or 2 days off ,For me and my family i cant
survive i ,And if i tell to the owner i wana work 5,Or 6 days he says go find another cab,Plz dont
u think we cab driver r ,Humans ?
Want to know what is going on in reform process ?
As a downtown resident and someone who is a keen observer of the city I can assert with
confidence that traffic congestion in the downtown neighbourhoods of Toronto could be
significantly reduced if not alleviated altogether by addressing the driving habits and the
numbers of taxi cabs. ,1/ The overall numbers of taxi cabs in the city could be significantly
reduced without resulting in any scarcity due to the large redundancy of taxi cabs. This
imbalance is particularly apparent during evenings along the major arteries when at times the
roads become virtually clogged with empty cabs scouring the streets for fares.,2/ Implement
and enforce strict standards and codes of conduct for cab drivers. Cabs drive with little regard
for general safety or the ability of the city to function. Dangerous, and inconsiderate driving
practices are not the exception but the rule. ,If you would like a more detailed list of the most
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common infractions and bad habits exhibited by cab drivers I would be pleased to provide any
assistance I can.
Hi ,I personally think regular drivers are totally left out of this review. Number speaks you know
the percentage of drivers who had any input on this>,Reasons,1. Most of the drivers whom i
talked to they were not even informed about how where when this process is going to
happen.,2. Most of the drivers are paying to someone on daily or weekly basis if we devide
comes upto($9 to $12 per hour) so these drivers got no choice but to drive the hour they got.
Attending meetings that is for the people who can afford it(e.g. owners, brokers, ambassadors
and agents.,Should have created some other system where they would have interviewed on the
job(Downtown towers or posts were easy for that).,3. Language problem most of the drivers
are scared to say anything out of the fear that it might sound bad(look at my English this not
excellent).,4. Hope: Every other group i mentioned above else got hope that some how they
will benefit from it. Most of the drivers i talked got no hope(very sad situation for our city which
claims to be the always no. 1 in human and worker rights and one of the very big industry in it's
own back yard and workers only living on a day to day basis without any future hope).e.g You
talk to any driver and he will tell you i'm about leave or i'm going to leave or i'm looking for
something else etc. etc. ,5. Furthermore i met this gentleman in his mid 50's in refresher class
who is drivin for city for almost over 20 years and somehow got delayed to apply for
ambassador. Who is now on the mercy of others for indefinite because the ambassador plates
already returned to city got no future whether he is going to get it or city is going to save that
plate for his coffin. He literely started crying telling us how he can not afford to drive for too
many hours and unable to afford ever increasing daily lease. Thank god i moved out of this no 1
city and found another job.,Best Regards.
Just wondering when the final report release to public and enforcement of it. All our(Drivers)
hope is the review will change our life in a better way. Hopefully it will happen soon
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There should be no agents.Txicab owners should directly lease to drivers. Lease should be close
to $500 a month.Agents are sitting at home without driving a cab and witout any
investment.They are making too much money out of the drivers pockets. The poor drivers are
paying for that.Agents have no role in the taxi business intead of black mailing the drivers.So I
strongly recommend to the city please eliminate these black sheeps.You will see more than
50% problems will be solved in the cab industry.Taxi driver and plate owner will deal with each
other face to face.Thank you. There should be no shield in the taxicabs because the cars are
small and toronto is the safest city in NA.Cab owner will never pay for that.All burden will be on
the drivers head.
I am cab driver and drive for living I have 3 kids I drive from an aget taxi ,The taxi lease for one
week is 700 dollars you have to pay even if u don't work for day or two . If you get involved with
an exedant u have to pay to fix the car . There Soo many problems for drivers I think there
should be no agents and plate should be available for full time drivers not for people who never
drove for living .eve the dispatch ,company they are rude and very disrespectfull to the drivers
because the know that we will never leave .
please provide your comments or questions below.
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Over the past couple of years, I have noticed a very dramatic increase in the number of taxis
refusing fares in obvious and direct contravention of the Municipal code chapter 545-148 K.(1).
On a nightly basis, both at our pub and at large public events, I am asked through the window
where the fare is bound. If the destination is even mildly inconvenient, the ride is declined. I
have witnessed drivers leave older people out in the cold, and vulnerable young women alone
in the street. It is a major and growing problem and one which much be stopped.
No one has contacted me or any member of my organization though we operate most of the
fleet cars in Toronto
On-demand accessible taxi service the only way to go,To the editor,,Like everyone in the cab
business in Toronto, I have been following the many issues affecting our industry. The
September issue of Taxi News, with its focus on wheelchair accessible taxis, has convinced me
to join the discussion. I drove a cab in Toronto from 1979 to 1988 until an accident put me in a
wheelchair, after which I studied at U of T and worked at Air Canada in Customer Service
Training before returning to the cab business as a dispatcher eight years ag. ,It is ironic that,
though employed in the taxi industry, there are no on-demand taxis available that I can use.
The technology exists. What doesn’t exist is the political will or industry concern. If any other
identifiable group (race, creed, country of origin, gender) were denied service by virtue of
belonging to that group there would be, rightly, marches on City Hall. The disabled community
is denied access to taxi service because they are disabled. It is wrong, as are the excuses.,Most
of the letters and articles I have read in Taxi News focus on the reasons why we can’t
accomplish things. Standard Plate Owners, Ambassador Plate Owners, Fleet Drivers squabble
incessantly: We can’t do this, we can’t do that, we all want a bigger piece of the pie. Maybe we
should make a bigger pie. Perhaps it is time to come together and figure out what we can do.,In
1962 John F. Kennedy pledged to put a man on the moon in less than eight years. He said: “We
set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be
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won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people.” He admitted he wasn’t
sure exactly how it was to be accomplished but believed that by setting lofty goals and bringing
people together to solve the challenges, those goals could be attained. While wheelchair
accessible taxi service is significantly less lofty than moon missions, it is a goal that can be
attained the same way: by bringing people together. Sadly, the commentary in Taxi News is far
less inspiring than JFK., It is stated in the September issue of Taxi News that “disabled people do
not have a lot of money and won’t be able to afford taxis,” and that “old people and people
with disabilities do not go out late at night.” First of all, general, sweeping statements about
any identifiable group are invariably offensive, derogatory and wrong. These statements are all
three. Some of the disabled people I know, the lawyers, teachers, social workers, musicians and
artists, not to mention Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, may not consider themselves rich but
they rise above the poverty line. As for going out late at night, if I come directly home from
work, I arrive after midnight. I certainly can’t speak for all old people but it is my understanding
that most eat dinner, sometimes at restaurants, many like music and entertainment,
occasionally at places like Roy Thompson Hall and the Sony Center and I have myself witnessed
old people at baseball and hockey games, often played at night.,They also question why the
limousine industry is not accessible: “What about limousines? Shouldn’t a percentage of them
be wheelchair accessible.” Yes, they should be. But the failure of the limousine industry should
not be something to aspire to, it should be something to rise above.,In the same letter suggests
there would be little demand for wheelchair accessible taxis. At the dawn of the computer age,
Thomas Watson, the president of IBM said: “I think there is a world market for maybe five
computers.” I would suggest he underestimated demand as well. In the 70’s, when wheelchair
accessibility at commercial businesses became an issue, shopping mall owners were hesitant to
provide wheelchair access because they didn’t have any customers in wheelchairs. They were
oblivious to the fact that the reason they had no customers in wheelchairs was because they
had no access. In the same issue of Taxi News someone also questions demand, wondering why
disabled people would take taxis when they can take Wheel-Trans for less. The same logic can
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be used for able-bodied customers. In both cases, the answer is convenience. Indeed, since
Wheel-trans is not ‘on-demand’ and can’t always accommodate travel requests, wheelchair
accessible taxis, if available, would at times be the only choice for a disabled customer.,He also
states that there is no rush to make taxis accessible since the Ontarians with Disabilities Act
won’t require taxis to be accessible until 2025. Should we really aspire to the minimum
requirement? The Marines say “Be The Best You Can Be.” Perhaps the new slogan for the
Toronto Taxi Industry should be: “We’re The Least We Can Be.” No rush? I’ve been waiting over
20 years, others have been waiting longer.,Both lament the two-tiered taxi plate situation in
Toronto but seem quite comfortable with the two-tiered service for the consumer. They also
question the cost of making taxis accessible. It is a valid question. There are two perspectives
from which to examine the question: the upfront costs and the costs to society.,The upfront
costs could be minimized by using an economy of scale. Suppliers will reduce costs of individual
retrofitting depending on the number of vehicles to be retrofitted. It may be possible to
negotiate with the Federal and Provincial Governments to reduce the tax burden. The cost to
society is more complex.,He says the Wheel-Trans budget for 2010 was $96.5 million while they
only recovered around $6 million through fares. That’s a $90 Million shortfall covered by taxes.
If we in the taxi industry can lower the demand for Wheel-Trans we can reduce the tax burden
freeing up money that can be used elsewhere, in education, roads or healthcare. Everyone
wins. Yet, the benefit to society goes deeper.,While it is true that not all disabled people are
poor, they are, as a group, underemployed primarily because of accessibility issues. If the
building is inaccessible, the job is inaccessible. If the disabled worker can’t get to the accessible
building, the job is inaccessible. Many buildings are accessible but the transportation
infrastructure is not. The more disabled people who can access jobs, the fewer will require
social assistance. Again, the total tax implication changes when people are working and paying
taxes rather than drawing on them. Clearly, there are many diverse challenges. What are the
solutions?,I don’t pretend to have all the answers. It will take the effort of many to meet the
challenges. The first step is to clearly state the goals, only then can we find solutions. I offer the
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following as a place to begin discussion:,Goals,Taxi drivers must make a fair and livable
wage.,Taxi service should be available to all citizens in Toronto.,Wheel-Trans service should be
more cost efficient.,The solutions are more complex though perhaps an answer can be found by
maximizing the current Wheel-Trans – Taxi partnership. Currently, some ambulatory WheelTrans customers are serviced by the taxi industry on a contract basis. A similar arrangement
could be made with wheelchair accessible taxis. Just as taxis servicing current Wheel-Trans
customers are available for hire by the general public, wheelchair accessible taxis, with an
enhanced Wheel-Trans contract, could also be available for on-demand accessible service. The
drivers would be assured a steady income from the Wheel-Trans contract while the disabled
customer would have an on-demand option at regular taxi rates. Of course, wheelchair
accessible taxis can also accommodate able-bodied customers as well providing the wheelchair
accessible driver with three possible streams of income. This plan would provide a good income
to drivers, provide on-demand taxi service to the disabled and make Wheel-Trans more cost
efficient.,Will it be easy? No, but as Kennedy said regarding the space program, “we do these
things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” No one group can accomplish
these goals alone. Putting a man on the moon required the effort of physicists, mechanical
engineers, electrical engineers, metallurgists and the astronauts themselves. To develop a
wheelchair accessible taxi system will require the effort of plate owners, brokerages,
government and disabled people. Surely, if we could put a man on the moon in 1969 we can
put a disabled person in a taxi today. Will it be easy? No, but it is the right thing to do and now
is the time to do it.,
Go with an Electric Vehicle pilot program for cabbies in the city of Toronto.
make using a taxicab more affordable to encourage people to use this mode of transportation.
Look to New York City as the benchmark.
Hi ,Day shift = $575,Night Shift =$ 650,some garage people are even charging more for a week
rent so please regulate these prices or even install a smart meter in all taxi so drivers can pay
the exact amount of taxes and also can ask for a receipt from the owners also please make it
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mandatory to install a fire extinguisher and first aid safety kit in all cabs just like any other
commercial vehicles in the city. Thank you
Please do something about taxi standards in terms of cleanliness and mechanics. I am tired of
getting into broken down and dirty taxis!
one city. one industry, uniformity, one regulation, fairness. one plate (standard plate for all).
1. driver for 17 years, no plate. Protect the drivers, not standards and ambassadors. Money
going to the wrong bucket. Struggling to survive. Regulate the price. Pay $600 to middlemen.
Please protect the driver and regulate the price.
I hear many interest groups trying have things their way: the Ambassadors want to have a
regular plate so they can cash in 300,000 and they complain not having enough income while
some of them with four or more family members still manage to buy a million dollar+ house;
the independent owners they do not need more plates on the road because they like to abuse
the shift drivers by ever increasing their rental rate. at last the shift drivers want to get their
share of a chance to have a plate so they can avoid a 650 per week rent. Most importantly no
body paid attention for the public interest, many people some times wait for 30 min+ to get a
taxi during the pick hours not to mention the customers begging to be taken somewhere at 2
am in the morning on Saturday and Sunday morning and also when we have a very hard
temperature. how about the great expansion of the city of Toronto while hundreds of condo
buildings are built in the past 9 years no plate was issued to serve the citizen of this great city.
we need more plate and more professionalized drivers. The Ambassador drivers complain so
much and even went further to sue the city of Toronto that showed them generosity; if they are
not satisfied they still can return to shift driving by returning their plate and may be they will
have a feel how it feels to pay 650 per week and drive a predesignated hours. thank you
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Kindly reduce the lease amount per week it is too much for us and remove the middle man
from this industry and fix the plate price. Or not allow selling the plate, city has to recover the
plate after owner die or leave the industry and sell it to open market , kindly reduce the lease
amount per week it is too much for us and remove the middle man from this industry and fix
the plate price. Or not allow selling the plate, city has to recover the plate after owner die or
leave the industry and sell it to open market.
The world renowned city for its inclusiveness;Toronto, need not to have two tear systems. It is
only fare and business like to allow Ambassador plates to have the same value as Standard
plates. If the number of taxicabs is going to be a big issue; drivers in the waiting list before the
issuance of the Ambassador need to have prior considerations. ,We will have happy taxi riders
when we have happy taxi drivers.
Every taxi driver should have their own taxi. taxi driving is for living not a pension paln for 2nd
,3rd or fourth generation. ,The taxi driver who got free of cost Taxi plate before 1998 ,other taxi
driver who got Ambassador plate after 1998. what is wrong with the taxi drivers who has been
driving from 2000 after ambassador plate not issued by city ?,They are working as a slave for all
other stockholder in taxi industry..?,Why not have a level playing field for every one who want a
good living ?
Hi sir,With reference to Toronto star report on 19-06-2013 regarding proposals for the
improvement of taxicab standard and better public service.,as I know 50 cab drivers my
colleague all are happy and fully supported to said taxicab proposals.after long time a hope
arise for taxicab drivers.as companies and other brokerage companies are criticizing these
amendment s because they are making hindered thousands of dollars by renting out taxicab
plates ,these brokerages pay 800dollars to plate owner and receive from agent 2000 and 1000
dollar goes directly in the pocket of brokerage for doing nothing and all this burden goes on the
shoulder of taxicab drivers.as a result agent received almost 700 dollars from day shift and 575
dollars from night shift altogether agent is getting 5500 dollars per month by deducting 2000
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,insurance expense 650 pm and car cost 300 pm and repair 50 dollars pm for new car all
expenses of agents is 3000 dollar and even than he is marking 2500 dollars for doing nothing
.resultantly cab driver has to make 100 dollars lees daily and 35 dollars gas expenses daily after
that expenses he can earn for himself even he is sick he has to pay the lees etc so think why
should not cab driver be rude every time when after working 12 hours shift on road risk he is
taking home may be 50-70 dollars how can he meet his utilities mortgage 4 kids
expenses..anyway yesterday co-op taxi try to mislead the cab drivers and sent message on
computer that taxi review is making some changes to taxicabs industry which are so harmful
and dangerous for drivers .which is totally wrong and co-op call for drivers to demonstrate
against theses changes but we as driver want these changes to implement which can make
better and improved taxicabs driver living and customer service.,Thanks for these proposals we
drivers fully support it.,
I just Hurd about some changes in taxi industry. I want to talk about 3 changes, 1is
Ambassadors if they are going to get driver that means approximately 1500 more driver on the
street, already too many cars and business is slow. The way ambassadors were much batter
that way, ambassadors a lot of them only work on weekend or busy time but when they are
going to get drivers that car will stay on road 24hr. Please make a change care fully before this
industry get all distroy and more problems in future. ,2nd one is bringing accessible vans, if you
make it menetory for all owner to put that $50 or $60,000 van you think they are not going to
put leases up after making that much investment? 100% they will. It's hybride world now less
pollution no idle not hard on drivers at all , those vans expensive, use 3 time more gas and put
so much pollution in air more idle. What u can do is tell accessible plate owner not to charge
extra if anybody order that cab make law for them. ,One last thing finish the agents owners
should handle there standard plates and even drive one shift.
First iwill like to congratulate your team the well organized report.
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here I would like to share problem as driver top of all weakly cab rent is too high being raised by
middle men,garage owners.the plate rent has been made sky high by just offering extra rent to
owners jut to get plate.as result drivers paying penalty.meter was raised twice to help the
drivers but the lease was increased $70 which was unfair we still paying.another every driver
paying extra in average $150 in terms of debt credt percentage which going their pockets.no
one dare to ask or inquir.drivers working 7days &12 hours with still empty hands.with this
review I hope for better.
Hi I have an ambassador licence. i read the report for change thanks for that work. After driving
many years as ambassador driver i was waiting long on waiting list before and more than 12
years as ambassador. If you are going to make some changes please make the one is workable
it should be 24 hours working cab (not 12hr) day and night like standard cab at least treat us
this time equal just one city one type of license .Please no condition on owner to drive no
person can drive for ever.This will be better for shift driver they will have better car at low
affordable rate. Thanks
I Understand That Taxi Drivers Can Repeatedly Be Convicted Of Infractions In Accidents And Still
Continue To Drive A Taxi In The City Of Toronto. Not Until They Get To The 8 or 10 Demerit
Points Will Their Taxi Driving License Be Suspended. This Is Outrageous & Extremely Dangerous
To The Public Who Takes Taxis, Other Motorists, Pedestrians & Cyclists.,As Soon As A Taxi
Driver Is Convicted Of 2 Demerit Points His License Should Be Suspended For 5 Years. A Second
Conviction & He Should Permanently Lose His Taxi Driver's License.,Please Protect The Public By
Enforcing Much Stricter Laws Whereby Taxi Are Involved & Found Guilty Of Accidents Or
Mishaps On Our Streets!
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I am working as a cab driver for last 14 years. I love the the idea of one plate one owner. That
will be the best thing happen to this industry. I know there are some people who are against
the idea please do not care about these people they do not want to any benefit for driver
I have heard plate owners make their case at City Hall. One plate owner argued that her father
was a plate owner and her & her husband had invested in these plates to have a comfortable
retirement life. She asserted that these proposed changes will have negative impact in her
financial retirement plans. ,Another plate owner argued that he has a large fleet and that this
proposed changes will put him out of business. He said he employs over 100 Taxicab drivers
and implied that these changes will lead to job losses against drivers.,Another plate owner
argued if these changes take place, the ultimate loser will be the shift driver. He argued that if it
aint broken why fix it. ,These arguments sound so similar to that of pro-slavery argument. In the
19th Century, slave owners argued against proposed changes that would abolish slavery. Slave
owners argued that these changes will have negative economic consequences on owners & on
slaves. Slave Owners said they had invested their life savings on these slaves and these changes
to free the slaves will have negative impact on their retirement plans. ,Most Plate Owners,
similar to the old Slave Owners, probably knew that they were undertaking a risky investment.
Some of the knew they were investing an immoral, unethical, and unfair trade. ,It was the
government who took the courageous act and corrected over 400 year old illegal slave labour
exploitation. ,This City of Toronto municipal government must act and make these changes. The
current Toronto Taxi Review is on the right track. It should completely ban Brokers and Garages
from holding plates. Brokers should choose to either be in a dispatch business or out of the
industry.
As a regular bicycle commuter I have had many unfortunate interactions with a few cab drivers.
,Certain drivers seem to believe that the roads are for their use alone; and have little respect
for other road users or the laws that apply to road use. ,I have seen taxis drive the wrong way
on one way streets. ,I have had 2 drivers even use their cars to push me and my bike.,In the
past year I have even had a taxi driver frighten my son while we were riding northbound on
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Yonge St. north of Queens Quay in the "BIKE LANE".,The driver blared his horn at us so loud
that my son no longer wanted to ride his bike ever again.,I know that there are many good and
safe drivers in the industry; but the few really do a disservice to the rest.,I have noticed over
the years that an alarming number of these bad drivers seem to work for one company. I think
more has to be done to hold these drivers accountable for there actions on the road.I have also
become aware of a disturbing fact that most people are not aware of.,The fact that driver that
have been convicted of dangerous driving offences are not taken off the road.,IT IS APPAULING
THAT DRIVERS WITH REPEATED OFFENCES ARE ALLOWED TO BE DRIVING ON OUR STREETS LET
ALONE DRIVING TAXIS.,Road safety is too important to allow unsafe driving to continue unchecked.,Are we waiting for a tragedy to occur?
I think this is time to give my ,Comments I m a just driver I m driving taxi seven years. I think city
should finished agent's and garages they make lot of money we work hard and they stolen all of
money from us. I pay every week 6 hundred 80 dollars to garage I want to own the plate but is
too expensive
I think this is time to give my ,Comments I m a just driver I m driving taxi seven years. I think city
should finished agent's and garages they make lot of money we work hard and they stolen all of
money from us. I pay every week 6 hundred 80 dollars to garage I want to own the plate but is
too expensive
We need to convert the Ambassador license to an unconditional standard license.
Taxi cabs are way too expensive in Toronto. In New York City, I can get from one end of the city
to the other for $15. Their infrastructure is sound and repairs are made swiftly, unlike in
Toronto where there is ALWAYS construction that takes way too long to fix, not to mention too
expensive for Torontonians. Projects are always running late and cabs are stuck everywhere.
Recently, I took a taxi from Billy Bishop Airport to Yorkville and it cost me $25. It is completely
ridiculous and unacceptable. Toronto is getting extremely expensive. I recall when the meter on
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the cab started at $2.50 and now it is $4.50. ,Furthermore, most cabs stink. Can you please
encourage cab drivers to take a shower everyday and wear deodorant everyday as well. I
understand that the majority of cab drivers are immigrants and perhaps they need to be
educated on personal hygiene. Also, some cabs I have been in reek of smoke. It is against the
law for riders and cab drivers to smoke in cabs and this should be reinforced.
Hi, i am glade to hear that there are something good coming for the taxi drivers.pls do
something about those owners of the plates who black mail the poor hard working taxi drivers
whenever they want increas the lease or shift especially lessee who pay for car ,dispatch and
insurance from his pocket after these all expenses then he take something for his family.
owners sitting home or doing other job or driving livery for their self. do you know how much
they are charging around 1900$ / month, now you can calculate how much a lesse is making for
living. i have a humble request stop these kind of owners or agents. being taxi driver of city of
TORONTO I feel proud because I love to represent my city the best way with the peace of mind.
GOD BLESS CANADA GOD BLESS TORONTO
I would like to congratulate rewiew committee and Tracy cook for bringing up a perfect
Framework report.I hope it will be final roport because there can not be better repot than this.I
am driving cab since last 17years my concern is there should be NO AGENTS and NO FLEET
OWNERS(Garages).Brokers should handle theirs taxi companies not taxi plates,brokers should
not be agents or plate owners.Plate owner should be only that person who drives the cab.Again
there should be no agents and no fleet owners.One plate one owner operator is best for taxi
drivers and also best for customer service.High plate prices and high plate rent is only because
of multi plate owners, agents and fleet owners. THANK YOU
I am in Taxi business from last 20 yrs. First driving cab for someone later got my ambassador
plate and drove 7 yrs. As a taxi driver I earn my living expenses driving taxi. Due to my health
condition i could not carry on with my full time driving and unable to cover my taxi expenses. so
I returned my ambassador plate 4 yrs. ago and got line of credit on my house and bought
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standard taxi plate for $ 215000/ to drive and secured my future when i not able drive the taxi.
now with proposed changes you are decreasing the value of the plate. These changes effect me
financially and emotionally. Please leave the standard plates as it is because so many people
like me will hurt badly.
Could we please educate taxidrivers to use their highbeams when soliciting fares instead of
honking their horns? especially 'after hours' when most people are trying to sleep. It has never
ever been this bad in Toronto and it seems that honking is bad habit among taxicab drivers that
have gone out of control. ,In Europe they flick the highbeams instead to communicate the
following: ,1/Your in my way, honk! ,2/you need a ride, honk!,3/hello fellow taxicab driver,
honk!,4/pedestrians in the crosswalk are slow, honk!,5/the streetcar in front of me is slow,
honk!,6/a group are leaving the club, honk!,7/you are too slow turning eventhough you're
waiting for pedestrians to cross.,and so on...
Our city major concern is to make a driver better earner.Dealing with owner operator standard
plates, ambassador plates, filling the need of accessable taxi near future. As I read in taxi news
city starts with something like drivers are making much lower than mininmum wadges per
hour.If this is the case I will suggest my city the following. Reduce drivers expenses and try to
increase there income.(1) Remove the agents from plates so plates could be rented directly to
the drivers or leasy. (2) End the insurance monopoly for Toronto taxi, insurance should be
available for them with proper cost. (3) Stop outsidres working in Toronto without having
Toronto license or permit. (4) Put a control on hotels doorman collecting up to 15$ putting
airport passengers in privates cars & vans.(5) Stop producing more drivers to reduse the
competition between the drivers. (6) Still if u want to do more reduce there licensing fee.
STANDARD PLATES: City is getting a lot of recommendations about the standard plates.first of
all I will like to tell you How I got a standard plate? It happened after 14 to 15 years driving cab
in GTA. when I was healthy ,young & single. & Now I have 5 children & unemployed wife & my
scenior mother and imagine how my health would b after 15 years driving taxi. As it is known
that driving taxi is a most stressful job, where u get hurt more often physically & emotionally.
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And further more I have to sell my house to pay my loan. City seems to be planning to make all
the licences plates same like a Toronto taxi license. How the city could ignore those poor
people r paying 100,000 dollars for plates. Discouraging investors means city of Toronto does
not except us as investor & punishing us by de valueing a standard taxi plate by putting more
restrictions & more control on standard plate, like owner have to drive . If end of the day all
plates will come same from standard plate .ambassador plate & accessible plate. Why some
one will buy my plate. Not fare because ambassador came with no cost. Accessible came in no
cost & standard plate came in with lot of money.And more drivers on ambassador means more
drivers on road & more competition on the road & less money in drivers pocket. It is very very
bad for the environment. I can under stand that city wants to put more accessible cabs on road.
Accessible vehical is expensive. IT will cost more to the driver at the end of the day. If
ambassador is inforce to buy a accessible vehicle will be more fare because they r getting free
plates. & they r well experienced drivers. Accessible vehicles R good for only people for special
needs. but not for everybody. But if city wants to help a company who is making accessible
vehicles by putting a burden on poor drivers u can just ignore my comments. Very very
important thing is when city changes the rules & regulations they have to make sure do not
discourage investors & drivers & do not make them lose hope or there will be a big mess up in
welfare system. It will be more more worst than having mess up with taxi industry.. Thank you
very much for reading my comments..
I like taxi review
l agree with what you aré doing but you have to always remember some of these drivers have
been serving 25years they want out as very body else After driving for so many years with no
pension many of us like to retire please do not punish us more make it easy for ambassador to
sell or hire a driver Thank you
voice message:,cab driver since 1989. framework in progresive and outstanding. will address
discrepancies. missed chance in 1999 to get plate. now on driver's list. says garages are tyrants
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and overcharge drivers. drivers raised this issue in meetings and emails; are concerned that
ambassadors haven't driven many years and will be rewarded. some drivers have driven a very
long time. ,fleet garages need to cut price and stop manipulating fleet system. says that
recommendations need to address driver's issues with garages. could bring his taxi in to show
example of garage car conditions.
voice message:,just do it. its taking too long. this has taken way too long. hope we make the
right decision.
voice message: proud of staff. city can save $ by using accessible vans. wants direct business
from city and TTC for accessible service. There needs to be an accessible app built by City or
TTc. Can make more money
: Thanks to staff and Councillors for their hard work. Thinks recommendations will save money,
as there are more jobs to be done. This is one of the best reports. Maybe drivers who aren't
physically alble drive accessible cars should not be required to get accessible vehicles.
voice message:,City are heroes! More consultations are good; don't close review, leave it open.
Implement taxi plate immediately. The sooner, the better, and you can hear the feedback. City
wil hear happy voices from the industry. We should choose one colour or symbolic taxi sign to
brand Toronto taxis and prevent scooping from bandit and out of town taxis.
voice message:,Caller was advised by a Taxi company that van of people would have to
negotigate. Called back, gave overview of Tarriff and number for Licensing complaints and
compliments.
voice message: Thanks for ruining my livelihood!
voice message:,driver since 1989. drivers appreciate framework. garage drivers have hard time.
he has been waiting for plate for 20 years. agents sit in office and try to make money off of
drivers. drivers need access directly to owners. please consider this and there is space in
consultation. agents have nothing to do with business. brokerages have a role, but plate prices
are skyrocketing. appreciates our work.
voice message: I support the Framework report.
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voice message:,Member of the public thinks that renewal fee for those with accessible cabs
should be $0 and contracts can be created with school board.
voice message:, thinks that city should raise sticker fee can be used to fund accessible, and drop
fee for accessible cars. Try to find jobs for accessible. There are jobs in City hall, such as Board
of Education and TTC contract.
About accessible taxicab:,If the city can bring auto manufacturing job to ontario,,And by
allowing vihecle age ristriction to 10years so many joins volenterly.
against accessible on demand, and plate sales having to be owner driven with accessible
vehicle.
against accessible on demand, and plate sales having to be owner driven with accessible
vehicle.
Most of ambassdor drivers serve the public for over25 years,,We deserve standard plate or
remove all the ristrictions on ambassador plate untill upon sale to transfer to T.t.l. the new
plate (ttl) its good the city, the public and drivers buy needs minor amendment.,Thanks.
I am ownew driver from ladt 9 years I work very hard to make my livings it is very stressful job
everything is very expensive, we already dealing wirh the insurance monopoly ripped us and
now with this review .,dear sir or madam my observation after hearing this review it is a killig of
cab industry. I am not saying for owners drivers ambassadors agents everyone,please kindly
review this review 10 to 12 hours a day 6 days a week imagine you drive one houre to go to
work how much happy you are while you are on road please think our future we have got 100s
thousands of dollars from our homes to refinance dont meake us out of jobs and out of our
homes .,please let us work to serve our toronto the way we are doing and help us resolving
insurance problem,I have more to say but I m second language person ,thanks we love please
leave us.
If the city wants 6% accesible for pan am game,,The city should lift all ristrictions from
ambassadors so the sale estimate is 10% means we can achieve 13% accesible for the game.
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Dear members,,I have driven a taxi cab for 20 years of my life. I purchased a standard taxi plate
4 years ago by putting a mortgage on my house. Taxi drivers have no dental or health plan or a
pension. This plate rental acts as my pension after putting in long 80 hour work weeks for the
past 20 years. The owner operator rule makes the driver a slave to the taxi. If you no longer
drive, the plate must be sold. Taxi drivers do need income in retirement! we do have a life after
driving a cab. Also, This does not take into account the fact that the current owners of the
standard plate invested heavily and saved for a long time, some spending upwards of 400,000
at one point to own a plate. If you want to eliminate owners that have never driven a cab
before that can easily be accommodated by having a 3-5 year driving requirement before
owning a cab. No licensed cab driver can be a standard taxi plate for 5 years since the issuance
of their license or needs a signed letter from a brokerage stating they drove for an x number of
years. ,Furthermore, I am happy that ambassador cab drivers get to add a second driver.
However, they essentially get a free taxi plate which they can sell on the market without even
having paid a single cent for the plate. Standard owners currently pay close to 300,000
thousand and mortgaged their homes for that plate. If you're going to allow ambassadors to
have a free plate and add a second driver, they should have the condition that if they transfer
or sell their plate, then the person acquiring the plate must drive an accessible taxi and not
standard owners. It's not fair to the standard cab owners that paid a fortune to own a plate.
That would eventually assure that a third of all cabs are accessible. ,Not all standard cab owners
are here for the investment. THERE ARE A LOT OF US, THAT DROVE for years on end, that saved
penny to penny to one day get a plate. Now the city is essentially slapping us in the face by
adding accessible cab restrictions and owner operator restrictions.,You have to remember the
person that leases the plate though may not technically own the car, basically does and takes
care of the car. So when councilor says that owner/operators treat their business (car) better,
he doesn't know that the standard owners don't even own the car and the drivers actually do
already. The owner can only own one plate per person. Why not remove the grandfathered
clause and anyone who owns multiple plates has to sell in a five year window, making more
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plates available for sale.,These are radical recommendations that definitely need to be tweaked
or removed. If my plate rental income drops below a certain level, which is going to happen
once the market is flooded with new drivers, I could lose my home. I would appreciate it if
people would stop treating standard cab owners as a monolith that have never driven a cab and
have no connection to the taxi industry. There are a lot of us that actually drove a taxi for
decades, played by the rules, and saved every dollar to one day own a plate. Please reconsider
the recommendations, particularly owner/operator which can be changed to driving experience
(as indicated above) and accessible cab which should apply to ambassador cabs only as they are
getting a free plate and a second driver already. By making all cabs accessible, you don't
understand the cost of operating those vehicles which can run close to 50 grand. plus
maintenance and higher insurance premiums. The ambassador owners haven't paid a cent for
their plates, and it's only fair that the accessible rule applies to their plates if theyre getting a
second driver and have the ability to sell their plates. I hope you consider my
recommendations, as I rely on plate rental income as my pension which looks like is in severe
jepodary and can cause me to fall back on my mortgage payments potentially having me lose
my home.
This incident occurred: July 9 - 2013 (Etobicoke) at approx. 9:17 pm,This cabbie was a very rude
driver - he started honking his horn while driving behind me in a 40 Km zone, then he passed
me in the next lane with an absolute show of impatience - then we both got caught at the
traffic light - NB: He got caught at the oncoming traffic light although when he passed me in the
next lane - he had increased his speed far beyond the traffic limit of 40 Km - he appeared to be
doing more than 70 Km in a 40 km zone. When we got caught at the same traffic light, I glanced
at his taxi to see who he was [no comment on my thoughts,]- then, through the open driver's
window of his cab and my open (passenger) window - he asked me: "What the F--- you looking
at ?" ... . His Cab had no passenger and the light on top of the vehicle was 'off.' ,*Your
Organization would know, from your records, who he is.,*I did call the company the same night
- July 9/13 at approx 9:43 pm, and I made a complaint to their call centre/customer service
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representative. ,* This cab driver appeared to be a bit husky looking (head area) - with
extremely poor road and communication manners - I actually consider him a threat to
customers, especially women.,I am not sure where to send a comlaint like this - however simple
as it appears, I felt it was important for the Taxi Bureau to know about this.,Thanks,,Comcerned
Citizen.
I was at the July 18 meeting at stc which was about fleets ,garages,brokerages and saw them
being upset about frame work city proposed because they know these proposals are really
really good for the driver and this will make there revenue come down big time, so please make
sure what ever changes you make to the current frame work do not make any compromise on
leasing the plate,From owner to directly to the driver ,nobody should be allowed to lease more
than one plate no agent no broker no garage there are thousands of shift drivers are waiting to
have access to a plate. which they cannot because these brobkerages agents holding hundredes
of plates ,more over the drivers who are leasing there plates through bbrokerages are stuck
with them for ever and. bbeing Abused different ways, also brokerages. love agents and
garages because it's easy to. deawith one person than different drivers ,the. shift. drivers love
to drive with some body who. own the taxi because they will be able to drive. much cleaner car
than garage car also the owner. who is driving always pay for carwash and garages. don't. They
were also complaing about high insurance it also happened because most of these garages has
there own body shops in an accident for a500 dollars damage they claim 5000 dollars from the
insurance company they replaced 2 taxis with the money they got from there false claim. Please
please make sure in the new taxi laws owner should lease the plate directly to the driver no
agents if they can't do it then city should act as agent and make it happen by charging them a
fee,ininsurance it's also because of garages and. fleet.oprators most of them have body shops.
previously if they have 500 dollars damage they. claim 5000 they replaced 2 taxis from the
money. they got from insurance claim, so please remove. the
Hi there,,Being a taxi driver, I personally beleive there should not be any agent or broker
between plate owner and driver.,Taxi plate should be brokerage free so drive ver can work with
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any company he like.,There should be fixed plate rental price with or without advance
payment.,Also very importent to regulate insurance system, so poor drivers can be saved from
their scam.,City should promote new app based dispach system which seems really transparent
for customer and driver as well.
Please save us from this middleman mafia in a shape of garages and brokers. They r sucking our
blood without any risk involvement
This message is strictly against the new review regarding taxi industry I strongly recommend
this and reject this,
I am a Taxi Driver since the past 8 years .I think the review that is going on it is very good for cab
drivers . I think that NO agent,fleet or garage owner should have the any hold or share for the
taxi .Brokers should also have no role in Taxi plates. It is my understanding that if The Taxi
owner drives his Cab he will be maintaining his vehicle in the best way .
eliminate unnecessary middle men and minimize the negative effects of non driving
participants.make tougher regulation regarding lease and rent agreement taxicab plate can be
sold to only somebody who has a valid Toronto taxicab driving licence and full time driving taxi
cab. Draw attention regarding airport exemption.
No agents, no fleet owners and no garages. Garages should only repair the taxis, brokers should
have no role in taxi plates. Brokers should only handle the dispatch.,Thanks
being a driver what I want is that there should be no agent, no fleet owner, no garage owner
who takes care of plates rather garages should fix the taxis and cars.plate owners should share
their taxis with drivers.As we know the market is saturated with taxis so ambassadors should
not be allowed drivers.otherwise the idea of clean and good condition taxis will be
defeated.thanks
Frustrating to see taxis illegally parked on a daily basis on east side of Church St both north and
south of Bloor and west side of Church St south of Bloor. They cause traffic slowdowns and are
very hazardous to cyclist and motorists as they completely block the lane to turning traffic,
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causing all bikes and cars to turn into one active lane.,After more than 2 years of trying to have
this problem seriously dealt with NOTHING has happened. The Co-op continues to flaunt the
law and endanger others. Why??
Hi,,Any good news about Taxicab driver those are crushed by Garages sky rocketing lease. ,
The reveiw of taxi is good initiative this time.I will be happy if reveiw is to go taxi driver favour.I
will support there...1)Won't be any fleet owner,only taxi driver will be the taxi owner which
commition is trying to stablish. 2)No Taxi Agent,who are taking all benifit from this business
using Taxi driver where business have or not and Taxi driver are making money or not, only they
make money which totally unfare. 3)No brokerage owner group.This group always increase Taxi
lease money with unfare logic.Exmple : When Licence commotion increase Taxi fare twice due
to HST inpose on Gas price they increase taxi lease becouse Taxi driver making money where as
is amount is increase amount of HST.Taxi driver doesn't have any option to refuse becouse
inmarket have enough driver if some one protest them they don't give Taxi to drive but
economy crisis Taxi driver have to drive and they are bound to pay increasing amout where Taxi
driver can't make money if business is bad.,So, this is the time to review for Taxi business where
Taxi driver who own Taxi licence only he will be alligable to own Taxi plat. ,The conclution is
there should be No agent platcowner ,No Garages,they only repair tha Taxi.Brokers should no
role in Taxi plats.Broker should only handle the dispatch.,Please consider this issue for real
,hard working Taxi driver who diserve to be release from those group who are unfarely role
most of Taxi plats.
plate owners should drive one shift.get rid of agents,garages.brokers should dispatch
only.owners ,agents îs a mafia which is sucking the blood and móney out ôf public and drivers.
Plate owners worked hard for many years to save and be able to invest in taxi plates so they
can make a better living to provide for their families and, ultimately, leave behind a legacy that
will benefit their loved ones.,Not only are some current proposals undemocratic, they are
unjust because if passed, taxi plate values will plummet to a disturbing level.
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Voicemesage: Do not do taxi on demand. Make sure everyone is licensed. Will use licensing
enforcement against us. Everyone should be owner-operator; that is the best idea.. The illegal
way is not the way to go; entrapping drivers is not the way to go. We have to do it right.
Voice message: Enforcment staff should be present and visible at consultations. They need to
be aware of changes. Enforcement needs to function better. Most drivers die from their job
because they are sitting the whole day. Need physical exercise for all taxicab drivers. Unhealthy
drivers should not be approaching taxicabs.Doctors should be involved in supporting drivers.
Voice message: All standards should become ambassadors, but ambassadors should be able to
have 2 or 3 drivers. Durint transition, Std owners can do what they want. Getting rid of agents is
good. Int terms of privacy, all or no one should be tracked. No screen is needed in the back. We
need to finish the review. Let Ambassador be TTL with a sedan. Don't burn Ambassadors.
Voice message: There are a lot of accessible vehicles which are old, in poor condition and driven
by non-licensed drivers. Disabled people are not worse than me and you, so they need a quality
service and a licensed cab. There are about 1000 accessible that are old. Need something like a
taxi licence for them. Thinks MLS is hiding and the police are hiding and entrapped his
brokerage. He sent someone to see a police. Wants us to spend money fixing system. Will take
tickets to staff and Council.
Voice message: FT taxidriver. Framework is very good for public, drivers, and everyone.
Supports program, though is unable to attend consultation!
Voice message: Cab driver for a few years. Garage owners raise rates every few months. Wants
us to address this.
Voice message: Cab driver downtown. Very happy with staff. We need to own the cab or rent
through the City, as brokerages and garages are killing them. Weekly rates went from $625 to
$640 or $650. Would appreciate if we can address taht.
Voice message: Cab driver can't afford lease rates right now; the rent is "unbelievable", around
$650 per week.
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Voice message: Driving for 5 years. Lease used to be $400 for lease, now $650. Only middleman
makes money. Please help drivers and to save city.
Voice message: New plates issued should go to drivers, not brokerages.
Voice message: Works nights. In 65 years, City Hall hasn't addressed rates. At this rate, drivers
will not be able to operate taxis due to high lease and rental rates. Must change this system. No
more garages, no more middlemen.
Voice message: Driver read Framework. "This is the best report that they can make for Toronto
taxicab drivers and the public." There should be no agents and garages in the business. Happy
to see that there will be 100% accessible cars in Toronto. Brokerages should have nothing to do
with leasing. There is the one who has made this mess.
Voice message: Driver who leases pays $600 weekly. Can't get receipts from brokerages so he
can claim taxes. Create a company who can provide everything in a legal way.
Voice message: Driver since 1986. Nobody listens to drivers. Biggest complaint is high leases
and no business. Agents make a lot of money.
Voice message: Been driving for 22 years. People bargain with owner for the plate for more
money. City should give plates to drivers. Should be unlimited plates to those who will invest
money in cars. Car life should be 4 years; car will be safer and in better condition.
Telephone call: Accessible cars don't function well after 3 years.
Hello,,On Friday July 12, 2013 we ordered a taxi for next morning for airport. We mentioned
that we are going to pay with credit card and the customer service said it is OK. The taxi came
at 6: 30 am on Saturday July 13. We noticed immediately that it was a smaller car than a regular
taxi we used to get every time when we booked. The driver was sleepy, wearing shorts and flipflops.,The trunk of the car was small and full with his personal belongings and it was not
enough space for our luggage. The driver stacked some suitcases on the front and all 3 of us
had to stay cramped in the back. The car was smelly, full of dust and no air conditioning. , Most
of them all, we were nervous of his adventurous driving. At some point, approaching the airport
he was driving 120 km. on a 60 km. zone!! and we were happy when we arrived at the terminal.
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We had our 9 year old in the car and this guy was driving crazy! We would like to mention that
we were not in a hurry and we did not ask him to rush.,We were surprized by the amount of
money he was asking-85$ [before tip!!!], too much for such a trip and for such conditions. We
used to pay a flat rate before and it was reasonable.,Anyway, my husband gave him the visa
and he tried for 10 minutes to get it through his credit card machine which didn’t work at all.
Finally, my husband gave him 100$ US, our US cash we really needed for our 2 weeks Caribbean
vacation. The driver didn’t get out of his car at all to help with the luggage!! We didn’t get any
receipt., ,We kindly ask you to check the taxi drivers and their cars a little bit more carefully in
the future. They drive very dangerously sometimes and they need to refresh their manners and
courtesy skills.,Best wishes,,
Lease is too mush we can't afford to pay 700 aweek for ,Taxi
We happy city doing good job
Agentless Owner operator model is the way to move forward if experienced and drivers with
good customer service record is what city of Toronto values and what's to benefit. Currently
this same shift driver, as you already know, is feeding over half dozen stakeholders before
taking anything home. This number of unjust stakeholders seriously needs to be reduced. My
suggestions will reduce this number. And it will be right if applied in totality instead of on cherry
picked new license plate buyers.
I lake what you guys did it is helpful lower income lake me helps a lot keep it up good work. I
thank you
I am fully supporting the decision of the MLS which will change this industry for the benefit of
the city and the drivers not for those who vacationning out of the countyry
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please make the law soon as possible, that driver can get rid of all the agent or garage guys and
enjoy the freedom.
City of Toronto should introduce a law to insure/compensate the income of a cab driver in case
of accident or illness.
Place finesh agent who killing us place I request do something we have a family to spot lesse to
much $700 night shift. Place place place place place do something.
I fully agree and support the upcoming taxi review. I believe that its time fix the corruption in
the industry and bring fairness within all stakeholders of Toronto taxi.
I am a driver and I support the the new taxi frame work. Agents , garages has to end. No
contract ever gets signed with drivers. If drivers don't pay the increased price rate, they are
forced to leave the car without any written notice. It's about time that the corruption needs to
be ended. Money under the table has stop and every one gets a fair deal and start paying taxes
on every penny that moves around.
I Admire what city of Toronto is doing to make a change in a Taxi Drivers life. I totally support
the change of the nature how Taxi plates are issued, i also support city to remove agents and
garages as middle man. It will bring a positive change in so many lives. It will improve industry
Standards. I have great hopes that city will be able to pull this through for a better Toronto.
First i will lake to say hi Toronto Taxicabs Industry Review for 20013,and Toronto City Consoles.
i have only one opinion for frame change no Agent,Garage,Brochures,only every Drivers has
plate and City of Toronto take the money make regulation and control all the plates City of
Toronto. I hope we will waiting all Drivers for justice from City of Toronto consoles and Toronto
Taxicabs Industry Review committee.
I would like to raise my concern about the Allowing driver to ambassadors.Insurance cost for
one driver is about $5000 and rate for adding second driver is $10000.Rewiew team should find
out that allowing driver to ambassadors for only 36 hours or 48 hours a week will be work able
or not. It looks like it is A BIG JOKE.
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If implemented as it stands now, the reforms will destroy the economic base of many innocents
who have depended on the one or two plate rental income. These are, more often than not,
elderly and dependents left after the plate becomes part of the deceased owner's estate. You
must amend the review to allow this humane program to continue.
To change the slavery system in taxi industry OWNER OPERATOR is the only solution.To stop
the discrimination between the standard plate and ambassador plates the only solution is
ambassadors cars should also stay on the road for 24 hours a day and ambassadors should get
driver for one full shift a day 7 days a week.How ambassador driver will make his living if he will
drive 3 or 4 days a week and how ambassador will get a driver for 3 or 4 days.
Hello,,I am just taxicab driver and driving a Taxicab full time since 2006.I am keep on watching
Taxi review.I am extremely ,sorry to say nothing is good for driver like me.,QUOTE(UNDER THE
UMBRELLA OF GARAGES )UNQUOTE.,Please do some thing for us.,Regards,,
Taxi plate are limited. Driver who doesn't own the fteet.they're too many of us. Anything city
make to change it's effect drivers bread&butter.best thing to do controls the cab rentals
according to average money we make.also no middle man to rental or lease.otherwise it's
nothing helps the driver who actually drive no helps for us or the city.
From 1st january 2013 when ever vehicle changes new vehicle should be accecible vehicle.And
standard cab owners who have more than one plate should be given 12 months to become an
owner operator of one plate and they should also be given 12 months to sell their plates if they
have more than one.If they can not sell them in 12 months they should surander those plates
and city should reissue those plates to the drivers on the list as TTL.
All the cabs should have one color only.Because people think only brokerage color cabs are only
legal cabs and it is not fair with independ cab who are in different colors.
City of Toronto is doing a great job please please please this industry is not gonna change
forever until the licence plate price is not gonna stop and start to come down this condition is
perfect that taxi plate owner has to be behind the wheels for one shift all the big fleet owners
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and the plate owners are keep calling to the drivers for there meetings about for the review
because of this condition but none of the drivers are going only the drivers are suffering a lot in
this industry because driver is one of the person who is working 10 to 12 hours every single day
and make his living and in this industry people who have a lot of money already without doing
anything they are making tons of money out of it i strongly requested to you guys that please
for GOD seek stop this and save this industry from unfairness driver is the only person who is
suffering from traffic tickets,accidents,insurance problems,fighting with traffic all day,deal all
different kind of people,all the time increase of rent,destroying his health because driving all
day,has to work 7 days week,cannot afford any day off because of the rent is so much and after
that he has to make money for himself for his survival of his family again please please please
do something better for this industry and let us stay healthy thanks in advance for your
cooperation and understanding GOD bless you guys
Dear sir or madam, ,I really commanded the fact that the City listen complaints coming from
the taxi industry or the stuck holders, and I have the confidence for councilors and staff will do
fair review and once for all the poor taxi driver will liberated from medal man or agent. ,If the
councilors do a fair assessment then the drivers will restore their dignity and deal direct with
plate owners.,. Nothing between driver and owner,. No agent,. No fleet operators,. Have to
eliminate owners are not driving ,When owner is the driver cab will be clean, will hold higher
standards and customer will feel safe and we gain customers confidence.,Best regards
Owners must drive, No driver to Ambassador, Subsidize insurance to Drivers, No agents, No
Brokerage agents holding plates.,Please, please, please.,Thanks
I'm Ambassador Licence owner i agree what the city is going to do any change because the
cituation we are in now it's killing us please these Brokerages they are tring to delwy everything
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that the city was working for so long late is make change very sooon atherwise they gonna
corrupt everything thank you.
I took a few minutes to read through the latest report on the Taxicab Industry Review. There is
nothing in the report regarding deaf or hard of hearing customers or any communication access
needs within the Toronto cab industry. I have not yet looked at the terms of reference for this
consultation process but I am assuming you are looking at wheelchair users only? My question
would be are there any TTY’s installed at main Taxi centres? What about deaf/HOH using iphone to book for cab? I know some taxi companies have web or electronic booking but not all
which I think should be a standard. Should all cab drivers have basic signs i.e. how much, hi,
thank you, etc.? awareness training when dealing with customers who are deaf or HOH in an
emergency?
New taxi drivers have hard time getting taxi to drive because the taxi brokerages, fleet
management companies and insurance companies wants drivers to have three years prior
insurance record if not they won't rent you taxi. If the situation in taxi industry is like that why is
city giving taxi license to new drivers when there is no opportunity for them to drive?
In the capacity of a Toronto taxicab driver I would like to say that there should be no role of
middle man in the taxi industry. The city can better control the drivers if they are given taxicab
plates. I think each plate should be allotted to two drivers at the same time who are physically
driving the cab. If they want to leave the job of driving taxicab the plate ownership must be
returned to the city for new drivers. I also think that there should be a age limit up to what age
a taxicab driver can work and there should be retirement age and at the time of retirement the
plate ownership must be returned. There should be only one kind of licence of ownership at
same terms and conditions.Investors and Garage owners should play no role in taxicab services
in order to achieve a better taxicab services in the city of Toronto.
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There was one system before "Standard Plates" or just "Taxi Plate" You started to temper with
it in 1997 when you issued Ambassador plates. You tried to repair the system which was not
broken. It caused so much grief to everyone who is involved in taxi industry.If you temper with
system now it will become beyond repair. you are playing with so many people's income and
lives. You should be doing to get discounts on,vehicle price,insurance, gas and repairs.That will
help the drivers and the riders, not what you are propsing.
I like city new proposal we fully support that.owner must has to drive taxi.Also ambassador
shouid not have the second driver also they can not sell plate.If they feel problem people who
have their name in waiting list should get new plates.we do not need big fleet owners or money
grabbers.shift driver is the person who suffer more than any body.thanks for efforts to make
toronto taxi industry more workable and fair for every body.thanks again
First of all time thinks you fot your time opportunity to get the chance to express our ideas and
yo give feedback on taxireview reform.,I personally read all 44 proposals reiw taxi reforms. It is
more fairly to city and to the taxi Industry to all drivers.I believe this taxi reform lt is good
enough and l am satisfied with the reforms prepared to us. ,I am only waiting city councils to
vote for this proposal.
I have personally been driving a Taxi Cab for the past 8 years and would like to share my
opinions and experiences on this matter. The Taxi Number plate should be awarded to those
that are personally driving a Taxi Cab with 5 years of experience (Ambassador License Plate). It
should not be transferrable. Brokerage and agents should be strongly discouraged and should
also be separated from the Taxi industry because they are ruining the system. They
purchase/rent the number plate themselves and purchase a car to make it into a taxi cab. They
then rent out this taxicab with the plate to other taxicab drivers that do not have their own
plate or cab. These brokers and agents charge unaffordable rent from the taxi drivers and are
the cause of corruption and an unsafe environment in our taxi industy. More Ambassador
License plates should be issued to experienced Taxi Drivers (5 years experience) so that more
drivers have their own taxi plates. This makes our lives easier and allows us to work more
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professionally. On the otherhand, Ambassador License plate owners should be allowed to rent
out their cab after their shift so that Taxi Drivers with less than 5 years experience, or drivers
that do not have their own taxi's, can have the chance to rent a taxi on a REASONABLE price
and can work MORE professionally. All people in this way will be related to the TAXI INDSUTRY
and will work with more responsibility and committment. They will be answerable to YOU, the
Toronto Taxi Commission. In addition, Revenue Canada will also get more revenue from taxi
drivers.
the relationship between customer and the taxi-driver:,-the meter fare,-the insurance,-the
plate lease.,if you can adjust that relation you may find a reasonable solution. thanks
The Framework as i see it is a total waste of time and money.
I wholeheartedly agree with the conversion to TTL but the clause of drivers having to provide
accessible vehicles before ambassador could be sold is far too much for ambassadors why can't
it be optional We have already endured so much Most of us choose to live in Canada because of
this country open mindedness Some of us have spent our whole productive lives driving cabs
and as anybody else entitled to the plates we so deserve That is our pension for Gods sake
I am driving taxi full time last 12 years. I support the city proposal. Owner operator concept is
the best thing for taxi industry. Torontonians will get more clean cabs, responsible and more
professional drivers.TAXI INDUSTRY DOES NOT NEED A MIDDLE MAN. MIDDLE MAN IS POISON
FOR THIS INDUSTRY. If we don't have a middle man the taxi driver doesn't need to work 7 days,
12 hours. When we don't have a middle man we can lower the initial cost of the meter from
$4.25 to $2.50 because we don't to make money for the middle man and Torontonians will get
the cheaper cabs and drivers don't need to work extra hours to make money for the middle
man. I have more things to say but I wouldn't say them. Drivers are the backbone of the
industry and they should get the privilege.. Shift drivers, like myself, we are afraid from the fleet
owner and the brokerage to raise our voice they are the big mafia and they put us into trouble
that's why a lot of the shift drivers they are quiet because they are afraid. We all, the shift
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drivers, we support the city proposal.l We all want the change, owner operator is the way for
the better taxi industry. Thanks. Please feel free to call or email me.
The role of the middleman should be eliminated so that the hard working driver as well city and
revenue canada are to be beneficial. Thanks
Need to be able to get an accessible cab on short notice ..... Standard taxi fares should be the
same throughout .... No surcharge because you are disabled.
Please don't make a pos machine (debit& credit) transactions mandatory for drivers, because
sometimes drivers goes to remote areas and the pos internet connection, or the servers of the
Rogers/Bell etc can be down in those areas, making the connection impossible. The costumer
can walk away without paying saying that it's mandatory for driver to have a working machine,
and he loses the money. Sometimes this happens in most office towers and even around the
airport and the costumers want to walk away without paying, thinking that it's mandatory that
the machine must work. Thank you
I rent the taxi and get no receipt for weekly payment made to the Garage. Also would ask if
possible make all cabs assessable and why people with special needs have to pay extra when
getting Taxi. They should not. Thanks
My husband struggled to pay off his taxi plate when he purchase it more than 35 years ago. It
took him many years to pay this debt while supporting myself and 3 very young children. We
lived very miserly as it was necessary. He passed away when he was 60, working until he got
sick, and now I rely on this plate for support. If ambassador taxi owners are allowed to purchase
their plate for a mere $7000, it seems to degrade the effort he put in as a driver for decades. It
doesn't seem fair as this change would devalue his plate, which I rely on for my sustenance.
Taxi cars that are owned by garages are in very bad condition. These cabs must be owned by
single owners who can keep their vehicles machinically fit. ,There should be no middle person.
Owners of the plate should must drive the cab if they don't drive they should not keep cab
plates. ,Having accessible vehicles is also a very good idea.
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Hello,,Please limit the new taxicab driver operator license.,Thank you,,
Accessiblity is key
Wants to know more about taxi review
[1]WHEN EVER A STANDARD PLATE OR AMBASSADOR PLATE TRANSFER FROM ONE OWNER TO
ANOTHER OWNER(NEW BUYER)IT SHOULD BECOME TTL FOR FIRST FULL 5 YEARS AFTER 5
YEARS IT SHOULD BECOME STANDARD PLATE. [1A]TTL LICENCE OR 100% ACCESSIBLE IS NOT A
GOOD IDEA.W PLATES(ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES) WHICH ARE ALREADY ON THE ROAD SHOULD
REMAIN THE SAME AND CITY SHOULD ISSUE MORE 125 ACCESSIBLE LICENCES TO DRIVERS
WHO ARE ALREADY ON THE WAITING LIST.AND THESE VEHICLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PICK
UP FARE ON THE STREET(STREET FLAG) AND THEY SHOULD ALSO BE ALLOWED TO GET RADIO
CALLS FROM THE DISPATCH.THIS WAY THESE VEHICLES WILL STAY ON THE ROAD 24 HOURS A
DAY.THESE ACCESSIBLE LICENCES SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE FOR EVER AND IN FUTURE IF CITY
NEEDS MORE ACCESSIBLE LICENCES CITY CAN ISSUE MORE ACCESSIBLE LICENCES SAME WAY.
[2].THERE SHOULD BE NO AGENTS NO FLEET OWNERS AND NO GARAGES.BROKERS SHOULD
ALSO NOT HANDLE THE TAXI PLATES.TAXI PLATES SHOULD ONLY BE FOR TAXI DRIVERS WHO
WANT TO DRIVE TAXI NOT FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SUCK BLOOD OF TAXI DRIVERS OR OUT
SIDE INVESTORS OR BRIEFCASE AGENTS.[3].AMBASSADORS SHOUL HAVE TWO FULL SHIFTS.
ONE FOR AMBASSADOR DRIVER AND SECOND FOR TO HIRE A DRIVER THIS WAY BOTH WILL BE
ABLE TO MAKE LIVING.84 HOURS A WEEK FOR TWO DRIVERS ARE NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE
LIVING.IF AMBASSADOR DRIVER HIRE A DRIVER FOR HIS INSURANCE AND REPAIR WILL BE
DOUBLED DOES NOT MATTER IF THAT DRIVER IS FOR ONE DAY OR FOR ONE WEEK.IN THAT
CASE 84 HOURS FOR BOTH ARE NOT ENOUGH.WHO WILL DRIVE FOR AMBASSADORS FOR 36
OR 48 HOURS A WEEK. BECAUSE THAT DRIVER WHO WILL DRIVE FOR AN AMBASSADOR WILL
NOT BE ABLE TO COVER THE LEASE AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE HIS LIVING IN 36 OR 48
HOURS A WEEK.
Taxicab review recommendations are in favour of drivers.
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in 2002 I was stuck down with stage4 cancer.the treatments left me forever disabled (paralyzed
,tongue,can't eat&more)I lost my car&was forced to sell my house. please consider making my
owners licence transferable on its own,without a taxicab&equipment, because, as, of no fault
of my own ,I was forced to remove it from the road. in 2007 my wife was formally diagnosed
with dementia& I am her full time caretaker. thank you for your consideration.
Please fix what is broken in the industry do not try to change what is already working fine if you
try to change every thing you will waste time and make it more mess. What need to be fixed
1.eliminate the middle men 2.there should be only one type of licence in toronto.3.taxi brokers
job should be only dispaching orders they should not be allowed to lease multiple plates and
then sublease and so on .4.the owner of plate must lease the plate directly to the person who
must drive one shift.5.one person should be allowed to lease only one plate and drive one shift
no multiple plates.6.no need for 100 percent accecibility to serve the demand make brokrages
have certain percentage in there company because they charge lot of money to manage
wheeltrance and other big accounts otherwise do not renew there licence.7.the current meter
is working absolutly ifine do not make us spend more money on something which is going to
cost us more money to install and then maintain for no reson.8.for ambassadors to operate the
taxi only 12 hrs with another driver is not realistic because there operating cost will go much
much hire and no body can make living by driving taxi by only working three days a week so let
them have a driver for one full shift by letting the taxi run for 24hrs as this buisness is 24hr
operation.9.no need to submit fare or passinger info to mls electronically because its goin a
cost us lot of money on the regular basis to install and then maintain this equip when we are
alreadey required to keep trip and fair info manually for tax purposes.
Please control taxi driver .for one taxi four or five driver fighting to drive. That's why lease price
is high.
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Respected Sir/Madam,,I am taxi cab driver with the city of Toronto and drive cab for living. I am
a shift driver and rent the cab on weekly basis. Shift drivers are under represented in your
meetings as they face threats from owners and agents for saying anything against their
interests. We don't have means money or unions like owners, brokerages and agents and hence
shift drivers are less active when they should be most active. All we can do is to write you emails and express our self. This industry have many problems but here is what we expect you to
fix this time around as we can't wait for another review which may be a decade away.,The
biggest problem we face is dealing with agents and garage peoples, as you know the lease of
taxi cab is private matter between owner or agent and driver. The lease rate are fixed by supply
and demand rule that means more the number of drivers looking for limited number of cabs
the higher the rates will go. In recent year city has issued lot of new cab driver licences against a
static fixed number of cabs thus almost doubling the lease rates in past six years and raising the
plate prices as they stand as high as 725 dollar per week as of today plus 7 to 10 percent
administrative fees on debt, credit and other paper transactions. The garage people have union
and they do meetings and ask drivers to pay more and more or leave the car. A driver who is
making a living with the rented car, paying for kids, mortgage and other bills have no job
security and he need to either surrender car key or pay more. If he quits the car there are lot of
drivers who live in metro housing and collect welfare checks or who never registered with CRA
and never pay taxes for years are more than happy to drive the car on higher rates as city have
not made it compulsory to obtain HST number before driving a cab. But this puts real hard
working a tax paying drivers at dis advantage. Thus a system is needed where city must know
who is driving a cab, so that we can eliminate foul players. City must try to eliminate the middle
man as this drive up the cost for the industry. First of all owners must drive but if city find it
hard to enforce it than at least they should ask owners to rent plates direct to drivers thus
eliminating agents and garages. Fixing a car is not a big deal as you take your private car to
garage so you can take a cab as well.Just like city did a survey to find out appropriate number of
taxi cabs needed for the city of Toronto, they must also find out how many drivers are needed
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to drive those cabs and keep a check on issuing the new cab licences. In simple words you can't
issue unlimited number of licence against limited number of cabs available, city must have
policy in this regard. ,Today's shift driver lives in taxi cab as he is driving 12 hour 7 days a week
and pays 625 to 725 per week to rent the cab per week for a night shift plus 7 to 10 per cent of
credit debit and other paper transactions another 50 to 80 dollars and he spends 300 to 400 per
week on gas, he is also paying 10 to 20 dollars per day on meals and car washes. Thus a taxi cab
is costing him around 1000 to 1250 per week. He needs to make 1800 every week just to take
550 to 750 dollar home and remember he is working 84 hours and yet he has to pay taxes at
the end of year another 13% off from earnings. It is tough living and we expect city to do
something for SHIFT DRIVERS. ,STEPS RECOMMENDED:,EQUIP TAXES WITH ID SCANNING
METERS SO THAT CITY KNOWS WHO DRIVES THE TAXI,ELIMINATE AGENTS AND
MIDDLEMEN,MAKE OWNERS TO DRIVE CABS FOR AT LEAST 36 HOURS,MAKE IT COMPULSORY
TO OBTAIN HST NUMBER FROM CRA BEFORE LICENCE RENEWLS,MAKE ALL TAXIS TO ADOPT
NEW LICENCING SYSTEM TTL IN NEXT 5 YEARS AND STANDARDIZE THE TAXI CAB SO THAT
EVERY CAB LOOK AND FEELS SAME (DON'T WAIT TILL 2050 OR WHEN OWNER OF STANDARD
PLATE WILL DIE),BAN BROKERAGES FROM CHARGING 7 TO 10 PERCENT ON PAPER
TRANSACTIONS IF ANY CHARGES THEY MUST BE BUILD INTO THE PRICE CHARGED TO
CUSTOMER IF NOT AT LEAST STANDARDIZE THESE CHARGES,STOP PEOPLE ACQUIRING LEASING
OR RENTING MORE THAN ONE PLATE AT A TIME
. Some taxi drivers that we encounter in our daily commute are really quite arrogant and
barbaric and sometimes aggressive. This display of disregard leaves a bad taste and not one
that makes you feel comfortable to hop into the back seat and trust they will get you to your
destination. , I have to say that the Taxi companies need to get a grip and educate their drivers.
That woman of Toronto are obviously NOT going to take your cab, if we don't feel safe about it.
And when they are doing such questionable things....they are driving a marked Taxi and
someone is bound to see what it is they are doing and how they behave to the general public
women and men alike.,I for one wouldn't consider it. They also need to develop a rapport with
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other Toronto drivers and perhaps they wouldn't be so hated or despised by other people on
the road. Courtesy goes a long way!,Regards
There should be age limit of 30 years to become a cab driver because these days new cab
drivers are very young most of them are under 25 years of age they drive very aggressive and
dangerous.Young drivers think driving cab is a fun.These young drivers are dangerous for every
body.
It is strongly to be requested from the concerning authority to ELIMINATE the "doctrine rights"
of Middle man of garage Owners. I would recommend city of toronto do not be a part of such a
vicious money makers and issues cab licence plate directly to drivers. Who are working hard
days and nights to be part of city of toronto service industry. Now every owner charges lease
750$ to night driver and day driver is paying 650. Per day 50$ Gas which makes 350 a week. 20$
car wash twice a week. 5$ coffee, Meter paper roll credit card machine 5$ per week,
Newspaper 1.50$, Air freshener car 5$, which makes 1136.5 expense is just going from Driver's
pocket.,
Hello! I like to join the mailing list and want to be up to date for the all events and review being
done by city for the taxi industries.,Thanks and also want more benefits for Drivers not for
middle man or garage guys.,I wish city will do the best for the greatest power for the taxi
industry of Toronto...The drivers!,Best of luck
Factual figures,Plate lease : $1800,Brokerage fees : $515,Insurance : $790,Pos percentage :
$175 (average),Car monthly payment : $285,What are drivers taking home? we just driving for
plate owerner and brokerage, I earn my own money to run my family, I did take welfare in my
whole life, but I'm on my own,.......please do something for drivers, I have no saving for
emergencies, I did not take any vacation in my 7years of driving, I work 7days a week.
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Voice message: D01 driver thinks City should impose a limit on what the brokerage can charge.
Thinks the City should control the brokerages.
Voice message: Driver thinks the city should take control of the plates and give them to drivers
who will drive, and not people who will make it hard for drivers like middlemen. Driver thinks
the city should remove middlemen like brokers.
Voice message: Driver thinks the City should help drivers by preventing owners and fleet
owners from charging high lease or raising lease costs.
Voice message: Driver thinks the City should give 5-6 warning for consultation. He supports the
City position and thinks the City should remove brokers. He thinks City should make sure rent
and credit card fees are not too high.
Voice message: D01 driver. Thinks the City should increase the number of taxis to give relief to
drivers, increase supply of cars, and decrease cost of rent. He suggests the City could do this by
making ambassador plates permanent or by adding another driver to them.
Voice message: Driver thinks the City should do something to protect drivers from abnormal
increases in the cost of rent.
Voice message. Driver thinks the City should remove the middleman. He would like to see the
City, owner and driver working directly together.
Voice message. D01 Driver, thinks the City should reform the taxi industry for the benefit of the
drivers and the City.
Voice message: Driver D01 licence thinks the City should consider the high cost of leases and
how owners increase the cost often, past the point of affordability.
Voice message: Driver holder of D01 licence thinks that the City should reduce the cost of
leases so drivers can make their livelihood. He also thinks the City should control/decrease the
cost of insurance and what paperwork insurance asks for (e.g. experience letter).
Voice message: Driver D01 licence holder and cab driver for about 17 years, thinks the City
should decrease the cost of renting a cab. He also thinks the City should make it so that if a cab
driver doesn't use a brokerage or picks up a fare on his own, he shouldn't pay the brokerage.
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Finally he would like the City to make the insurance follow that in Quebec City. Finally he likes
the idea that the owner should drive one shift and the second drive should be put on the lease.
Voice message: D01 driver, would like the City to provide relief to drivers, who are hardworking. He would like the City to stand up and change policies that are not good for drivers,
because there are so many communities involved.
Voice message: D01 driver, supports the change to the system and the Framework. He thinks
the City should do what they can to change the drivers' side and support drivers.
Voice message: A D01 driver thinks that drivers should lease or buy directly from the City, and
would like to use a financial institution to pay the balance He would also like the City to allow
D01 drivers to buy their own car, put their own plate on it and pay their own taxes.
Voice message: A Driver, D01 licence, thinks the City should control the plate, lease and
insurance. He also points out drivers don't get paid days off.
Voice message: Driver thinks that the City should allow one person to control a taxi for 24 hours
rather than 12 hours, because some hours are profitable and others are not. He says he is
speaking on behalf of himself and 12 colleagues.
Voice message: A driver thinks the City should send out letters earlier for consultations.
Voice message: A driver called; he would like letters to go out earlier for the next consultation.
Voice message: A driver would like to get the letters for consultations earlier.
Voice message: D01 driver.. He thinks the City should give relief to drivers and cut out the
middleman. He thinks the City should implement a shield between driver and customer for
more protection.
Voice message: A driver called and wants to City to send letters earlier to ensure everyone can
participate.
Voice message: A D01 driver wants to City to do things efficiently and on time. He wanst the
voicemail message to be correct and for the right date and he wants to receive the
communications on time.
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Voice message: A driver with a D01 thinks the City should address the cost of leases or rent,
which he feels are too expensive. He thinks the City should make it so it is one person, the car
owner and driver. he would like the City to make changes in favour of the drivers instead of
garage operators or owners. He would also like the City to increase the number of taxi stands or
spots where multiple taxis can park.
To Whom It May Concern:,Hi, I have been following the Taxicab Industry Review since it began
in 2011 reading many articles dating back to the last reform in 1998 gaining much information
and knowledge, Wow what a complex industry. I would like to state my opinions based on the
information I have read and the knowledge I have gained. ,As I understand the cities first
priority is Public Health & Safety, According to what I read there is less than a 1% complaint rate
that’s amazing. Why recommend or implement these suggestions 44 of them when the
complaint rate is less than 1%, it would only leave me to believe that the city is interfering with
matters that have nothing to do with Public Health & Safety. The facts are the taxi industry has
done an excellent job at pleasing the riding public, although there is always room for
improvement the list of recommendations do not provide facts and could devastate the riding
Public & Taxi Industry is that a chance worth taking with a less than 1% complaint rate. It seems
to me that by far leads the way in the business, it is impossible to make everyone happy
nevertheless that is no excuse to make poor decisions take advice from a pro company l
I am not against the use of Wheelchair Accessible Taxicabs but because of the small percentage
that are in the need for it there shouldn't be more than 300 of these Taxicabs.,Also Ambassador
taxicabs should have equal rights to that of the standard Taxicabs.
Voice message: A driver named is glad to see other drivers getting involved and he is glad that
the City has put so much effort into making sure everyone is heard. On Oct 22 he heard about a
group called the Toronto Taxi Alliance (TTA). They are telling the media that the City is doing
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something wrong and that no one is benefiting from the taxi review. It's a tactic and they are
trying to blame the City. Whoever is behind this, the driver is the one serving and helping the
customer, and is upset and stressed out because they see the money going to the owners who
aren't even doing the job. I want the Councillors to know what is going on. Thank you to Tracey
Cook and MLS. She is somebody who truly sees what is going on and is willing to do as much as
she can to solve this problem.
Voice message: A taxi passenger thinks the whole taxi system needs to be reviewed in Toronto
because it's not very friendly to those who have trouble getting around, like those with
Parkinson's and others. He thinks the City should make the following changes:,1. All new plates
should be limited to two per individual and three drivers.,2. 10% should go back to the city,
minus every dollar they earn through wheelchair fare they should get to keep 2 dollars.,3. The
goal of these new vehicles should be to get 60% regular fares, 20% handicapped fares, 15%
what he calls parcel delivery and 5% volunteer work. They wouldn't need to pay the volunteer
work percentage back to the City.,4. Drivers should be limited 13 hours a day and 70 hours a
week.,5. If they're using outside drivers their wage should be $14/hr. It would attract the
quality of drivers the City needs.,6. Should encourage existing taxi firms to increase their
wheelchair accessible vehicles by 6% a year for 5 years, to a total of 30% accessible. Any firms
that don't do that should lost 2% of licences per year.,7. Should look at small- and mid-size
cans, like the MP1 or Dodge diesel van that can take 1-2 wheelchairs or 5-6 passengers or a
combination of the two.,8. Should look at diesel or natural-gas-powered taxis because hybrid
models can't stand up to this type of usage.,9. Should also look at transportation and parking in
the City.,I live two and a half hours outside Toronto. I accompany my father into Toronto
sometimes for medical treatment and he is disabled. The current taxi system does not work at
all for his needs.
Voice message: A shift taxi driver called to say that he heard taxi industry owners were making
comments as if representing taxi drivers, which is not true. He says that the City is following the
right way and that the review is supporting the taxi drivers. He heard someone on a CBC radio
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show saying it would affect the finances of taxi drivers and the safety of customers, which is not
true. They are making it look like the are the right representative of the taxi drivers which is not
true.
Voice message: An Ambassador owner called to say that he doesn't understand how long it will
take for the report to come out and doesn't understand why the report has been pushed back
to Jan 2014. He is already too old and cannot drive his own car. he would like the City to please
do something and make their lives easy and not too hard.
One driver one standard plate, no middleman no garage and 100 percent accessible is not a
right solution, we need to address the high insurance cost issues too.,After paying the weekly
rent there is nothing left for the drivers and there are weeks I went home with only three
hundred dollars a week ,working 12 hours a day.,We have no health benefits no sick days no
holidays, we really need a change,We need process the visa n debit card or a deposit of 25
dollars at the beginning of the ride and simply last night I lost 26 dollars for fake credit cards,We
have a right to live as a decent human being,Sincerely,
There should be no agent between driver and plate owner.,Debit and credit cards should not be
necessary but optional.,Plate owner should must drive one shift.,There should be more taxi
stands in the city.
How come us taxicab drivers can not get a plate like taxicab drivers in Washington D.C?
As a toronto taxi driver for the last 8 years i would say the city came up with a great reaserch
and frame work. I am so proud of the law and regulation of canada. But i just founded there is
not law only in taxi business in canada. Those the broker or agents are the one put the law and
regulation of the taxi business. They can do whatever they want to do.they vacation every
month but we the driver even can't take off one day. The last but not the laest my concer the
city of toronto has to involve in taxi business adequetly.thank you for ur co
In greater Toronto area ONLY the limousine service has to be Accessible. Only the limousine has
the authority to PICK UP AND DROP OFF the fare any where in Ontario. So these vehicles MUST
MUST and MUST be made MANDATORY Accessible. Regular taxis has to given choices.
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Recent developments and keeping in view of framework, and recent meeting held at 880
Donmills, with the due respect to Tracy Cook, and few points raised by her during the meeting
which lead to postponed till further notice, very disappointing being a Taxi driver and the way
things are being dragged and more disappointing is the focus on reforms are just an eyewash
nothing is benefiting to the drivers with reforms, agents going to open a garage instead of
briefcase business, things remain the same leases remain the same, insurances are gone crazy,
city failed to catch livery vehicles at Hotels, apps creating mess with livery vehicles and cookies
being given to the doorman at the Hotels for diverting the business to the black vehicles which
is apps without the city approved sealed meter, take home to the driver is nothing these days,
livery has to stop illegal business in the city, control the leases and control the
insurances.,Thanking you and anticipating the good and healthy system.,
Mailed letter: taxi driver in Toronto, wrote in a letter to say,1. I support the new regulation and
law of taxi industry.,2. As a taxi driver I am harassed and treated badly by the garage who rent
and lease the plates and the brokers.,3. Taxi leases and rents increase every three or six
months.,4. I am charged 15-20% on debit and credit transactions.,5. I have difficulties paying
my taxi lease due to costs.,6. I am not able to save my money and change my life.,7. Right now I
pay $100 for one 12-hour shit; I also pay gas and debit and credit fees.,8. Every taxi driver is
tired to being a slave to garage taxi leases or rents and taxi brokers.,9. City of Toronto loses
millions of dollars every year from taxi drivers because we are not able to pay taxes properly
due to corruption in the taxi industry.,This is a chance and advantage to take an opportunity.
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