Halifax council to discuss oversight of ride-hailing companies

Halifax regional council will consider a staff recommendation to bring ride-hailing rules in line with taxi and limousine regulations, including municipal access to driver background-check results; Uber has opposed the proposal, saying it would add fees and slow onboarding.

Halifax regional council is reviewing a recommendation that the municipality take a more active role in overseeing drivers who work for Uber and other ride-hailing companies. The staff report asks that ride-hailing requirements be aligned with rules already applied to taxi and limousine services. Under existing rules, taxi and limousine drivers must provide the municipality with training and background-check results. The report says ride-hailing companies currently handle that oversight rather than the municipality. Key points: - The staff recommendation would require ride-hailing drivers to meet the same documentation and checks as taxi and limousine drivers, including background checks for criminal records and checks related to working with vulnerable people. - Councilor Sam Austin said the municipality does not currently receive background-check results for ride-hailing drivers and noted Uber has indicated a willingness to share that information. - Uber has said it opposes the proposal, reporting that it would add about $135 in fees for initial requirements and $100 every two years afterward, and that the changes would slow driver onboarding. - A representative of Casino Taxi, the region's largest taxi company, said the proposal is intended to ensure all drivers transporting people for hire have passed appropriate checks. - The proposed bylaw changes also include measures to make it easier for taxi companies to change their rates. Summary: The proposal could shift some oversight responsibilities from ride-hailing companies to the municipality and would formalize municipal access to driver screening results. The proposed bylaw changes are scheduled for first reading at a council meeting Tuesday; no final decisions will be made until the measures return for a second reading.