More changes could be coming to the city’s Vehicle For Hire Bylaw in light of concerns local women’s groups have raised.

Dave Pruden, the city’s bylaw manager, brought forward the proposed changes at council’s meeting Monday evening.

He highlighted the presentations made by the Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre, Les EssentiElles and the Yukon Women’s Coalition on how to improve the safety of passengers in local taxis.

Their presentations were made in December 2017 during the annual campaign to end gender-based violence, with council later asking city staff to review and consult on the bylaw.

That review included a survey completed by 178 people, including 67 per cent who identified as female, 32 per cent male, and one per cent non-binary/third gender.

A total of 65 per cent of those who responded reported feeling unsafe to extremely unsafe, with 23 per cent reporting feeling safe in a cab.

Other findings of the survey showed 68 per cent indicated vehicle for hire drivers should not be allowed to take calls (including hands-free).

Meanwhile, 92 per cent indicated drivers should not be allowed to work more than 12 hours in a day.

Among issues of importance, 89 per cent said an odor-free vehicle for hire; 86 per cent a clean interior; 84 per cent want the ability to make electronic payments for fares; and 80 per cent said they want 24 hours-a-day access to a vehicle for hire.

On issues of safety, important/crucial issues included:

• 99 per cent of respondents noting the conduct of drivers and 94 per cent highlighting driver criminal records check;

• 92 per cent pointing to training of drivers for the safe and respectful transportation of all passengers;

• 91 per cent stating if public safety cameras were installed in vehicles, that they should not be able to be shut off;

• 89 per cent noting public safety cameras installed in vehicles;

• 88 per cent pointing to training for transporting passengers with disabilities;

• 81 per cent arguing for no tinting of front passenger or driver windows in vehicles for hire; and

• 78 per cent highlighting recording of GPS when persons are being transported in a vehicle for hire.

Following that review, Pruden said the new proposed bylaw for vehicles for hire would include provisions that:

• Vehicle for hire video cameras remain operational while the vehicle’s engine is running, and there be a delayed camera shut-off of 30 minutes once the engine is shut off. In the past, bylaw officers have found taxis operating with the cameras shut off;

• Video images to be kept by the cab company on its server/computer for seven days. Under questioning by Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu, Pruden said other jurisdictions typically have video kept for three days;

• Limit the number of plates to no more than two per 1,000 residents available to the vehicle for hire industry (“grand parenting” existing and phase out some through attrition) as of May 1, 2020 with no cab company to own more than 50 per cent of the licence plates in the city;

• Place a driver/passenger charter on the back of the driver and passenger seat;

• Provide a training course to drivers. The three- to four-day session would be available for free until the end of this year, then cost between $250 and $350 afterward.

When questioned by Coun. Samson Hartland, Pruden confirmed that the training would be mandatory.

It could:

• Acknowledges the owner of the vehicle is responsible for actions around parking or driving offences related to the vehicle;

• Specifically allow for government-sanctioned vehicle-share programs;

• Allow for disqualification when mechanical inspections are repeatedly unsatisfactory.

• Require vehicle for hire firms to have a permanent office in the city, maintain a list of drivers with photocopies of each driver’s permit, have a complaints process in place to deal with any issues from customers, and, as of May 2020, have at least five staffers, provide 24-hour service, and have GPS in the vehicle.

Council is scheduled to vote on first reading of the bylaw next month.

Mayor Dan Curtis was absent from Monday’s meeting, with Coun. Rob Fendrick serving as acting mayor.