Any new cab companies setting up shop in Whitehorse are now required to have a fully accessible taxi available during operating hours.

That became official Monday evening after city council passed third reading, thus adopting, a new vehicle for hire bylaw.

Any new companies are also required to have security cameras installed in their vehicles along with a number of other new provisions under the bylaw.

Council was unanimous in passing the changes.

Any new companies starting up will be required to meet the new bylaw regulations immediately.

Existing companies, however, will have until May 1, 2017 to provide the service.

That timeline was established in light of concerns expressed by cab companies over additional costs and time needed for fitting out vehicles to make them accessible to passengers with disabilities (as set out by national standards).

Another provision in the bylaw enables cab companies to share a vehicle for hire provided they can prove an agreement is in place for that.

At Monday’s meeting, bylaw manager Dave Pruden clarified companies are not required to each have their own accessible cab and can indeed share an accessible cab.

He pointed to case law from Edmonton showing that as the permitting authority, the city has an obligation requiring taxis to provide access for all persons.

Pruden cited a recent Yukon coroner’s report that emphasized the need for accessible taxis to be available.

A man needing one of the special vehicles to return to his residence at Copper Ridge Place found none was available.

He later died after having to spend the night at a friend’s home. Had he been able to return to Copper Ridge Place, the coroner noted, staff there could possibly have arranged for the medical care he’d needed.

Pruden was questioned by Coun. Dave Stockdale about the potential demand for service.

Pruden said there aren’t any “hard numbers” on what kind of uptake there may be for the service that’s not currently being provided in the city.

Along with the new bylaw making accessible taxis available to those with mobility issues, services are also set to improve for those who are deaf or who have hearing difficulties.

By May 1, 2017 (or immediately for any new companies starting up), dispatch systems must be capable of receiving requests through a web-based system, email, text message or similar formats.

May 1, 2017 (or immediately for new firms) also marks the deadline for cabs to offer an option for electronic payment.

Under the changes, vehicle for hire permits or renewals will not be issued to anyone who’s been convicted of two or more Criminal Code offences over the past decade, nor to anyone who’s received a 24-hour roadside suspension of his or her driver’s licence within the last 12 months.

A vehicle for hire registration is required, and operators will have to display the fact that a cab is not for hire at any given time.

As well, the bylaw services department can order a cab removed from service if there is deemed to be a safety issue.

There are also provisions for a bylaw officer to seize or impound a vehicle if the owner or driver refuses to provide identification, permit, registration or other such documents, or where there is a breach of the bylaw.

Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu joined the rest of council in voting in favour of the new bylaw.

Before doing so, she stated her support. She noted the new regulations address many concerns, particularly around safety, brought forward by citizens during the consultation done on the bylaw.

The new rules, she said, will raise the standards for taxis in Whitehorse.

Coun. Mike Gladish attended Monday’s meeting via conference call.