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Taxis, Ubers have 10 months to prepare for new driver-for-hire rules in Red Deer

New rules come into effect in September 2021
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(Black Press file photo).

Taxi, transportation network companies and limousines have 10 months to prepare for new rules for operating in Red Deer.

At Monday’s meeting, city council gave third and final reading to a vehicle-for-hire bylaw that will come into effect Sept. 1, 2021.

This reflects the wide range of industry input received over the past several years, said Mayor Tara Veer.

“This bylaw modernizes and harmonizes many pre-existing regulatory provisions,” she said.

Although Coun. Vesna Higham wanted to reduce the annual business license fee to $50, from a proposed $100, her amendment did not pass.

Coun. Lawrence Lee summarized the sentiment of most councillors by pointing out that even with charging a $100 fee, some 63 per cent of administrative costs would still have to be subsidized by city taxpayers.

Lee said it would be unacceptable to subsidize 82 per cent of costs, required for a $50 licence fee.

The bylaw reduces mechanical inspections to only once per year.