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Effective August 1, 2020, wearing a mask or face covering is mandatory in all indoor public places and public vehicles. Learn more at edmonton.ca/COVID-19.

Vehicle for Hire

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Transporting Passengers

Vehicles for Hire in Edmonton transport passengers from one destination to another for a fee. These vehicles could include limousines, shuttles, taxis, rideshare companies, or other types of transportation services.

Regulations

The Vehicle for Hire Bylaw 17400 allows the City of Edmonton to regulate transportation services to ensure:

public safety and consumer protection
accessible vehicle-for-hire services
fair competition and open innovation

Vehicle for Hire

Industry Support Discussion

City administration brought the concerns about financial strain raised by the Vehicle for Hire industry to the Emergency Advisory Committee (EAC) for discussion on Thursday August 27, 2020. The next step is for administration to bring a report with options for how to further support the industry to the September 30, 2020 Community and Public Services Committee for consideration.

One of the options under consideration is a 50% reduction in dispatcher and vehicle licensing fees for 2020. Licensees who have already paid their 2020 fees would receive a 50% credit applied to their 2021 fees.

The EAC also asked administration to bring forward information on the impacts of extending the fee reductions to driver licensing fees.

Vehicle For Hire Types

There are different types of vehicle for hire operating in Edmonton, and each type is regulated differently. The following summarizes the types of vehicle for hire and some of the general regulations that apply.

Taxis and Accessible Taxis

Taxis must have a toplight and a meter
Taxis can be hailed from the street
Accessible taxis prioritize requests from passengers who require mobility aids
Accessible taxis may be hailed from the street

Limousines

Limousines are luxury vehicles for hire
These include sedans, stretch limousines and SUVs
Limousines must be prearranged and must not be hailed from the street

Shuttles

Shuttles can only pick up and drop off passengers at fixed locations set by a predetermined route and schedule
Shuttles must be prearranged and may not be hailed from the street

Transportation Network Vehicles (TNVs)

TNVs look like vehicles that anyone can own and operate. These are regulated by the Province of Alberta and the City.
TNVs are required to display a company marking on the front and back of the vehicle.
TNVs do not have a toplight, meter, or use the words "taxi", "cab", or "taxicab" on vehicle advertising.
TNVs must be prearranged and can not be hailed from the street. They cannot use taxi stands.

Private Transportation Providers (PTPs)

PTP vehicles look like vehicles that anyone can own and operate. These are licensed only by the City.
PTP vehicles are not required to display a company marking on the front and back of the vehicle.
PTP vehicles do not have a toplight, meter, or use the words "taxi", "cab", or "taxicab" on vehicle markings.
PTP vehicles must be prearranged and can not be hailed from the street. They cannot use taxi stands.