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Drivers for Transportation Network Companies (TNC) like Uber in Regina will now need to get the appropriate background, criminal record and vulnerable sector checks through the police before they can start working.
Drivers will be required to have the checks done no earlier than 90 days before they start driving. The change will take effect on April 1, 2021, with the intent of keeping drivers from offering their services until they get their background checks – essentially mirroring what taxi drivers must go through.
Up until the change was made on Wednesday, Uber drivers in Regina were allowed to use a criminal record check performed by any law enforcement agency. A vulnerable sector check was not required.
The Regina Police Service (RPS) was provided a list of all drivers affiliated with TNC’s at the beginning of each month, and would then complete a secondary review of the driver. RPS said that meant drivers could be on the road for several weeks before RPS got a chance to see if the driver is facing charges.
According to a review, there have been zero complaints against drivers since TNC’s were allowed in Regina in February 2019. Regina police have suspended five TNC drivers from the platform since May 15, 2019 and eight taxi drivers during the same period.
The review found the total for-hire transportation trips of both taxi’s and TNC’s, increased by 13 per cent in 2019. The number of annual taxi trips decreased by 4.5 per cent and made up 85 per cent of the total trips provided in the city. Companies like Uber provided the remaining 15 per cent of the market share.
Council also approved the distribution of funds gathered from the surcharge placed on each TNC trip. The City charges a seven cent accessibility fee per trip, and collected approximately 35,200 as of December 31, 2020. Council agreed to use the money to reimburse the annual licence fee of 375 to each accessible taxicab owner, and to provide a rebate to accessible taxicab owners and drivers that provide taxi services for Regina Paratransit.
Council decided to ask for a review of the regulations in relation to safety, cameras, the accessibility fee and criminal record checks. The review is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2023.
Glen Sali from Capital Cabs expressed to council that he believes cameras should be mandatory for both taxi’s and TNC’s.
Public policy manager for western Canada at Uber, Yanique Williams, said the Uber app has a 247 incident report feature and police can request data through the app. She said putting cameras in TNC’s puts another monetary requirement on drivers and the vehicles are also used for personal reasons, which leads to privacy issues.
UPASS FOR SIIT
Council is also looking at entering a transit agreement with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT).
Council will discuss the possibility of a UPass program during its meeting on Wednesday.
City administration is recommending a two year agreement for a UPass program with SIIT, starting on September 1, 2021.
The idea would see SIIT set student fees base on the price of the program from the Transit Department. SIIT would be expected to pay two lump sums 60 days after each semester in the fall and winter. The first year would SIIT 36,000.
The pass would only be active during the fallwinter semesters.
UPASS FOR SIIT STUDENTS
Council approved a two-year transit agreement with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT) during Wednesdays meeting.
Students will be able to access a UPass program starting in September. The pass will only be active during the fall and winter semesters.
SIIT will set student fees base on the price of the program from the transit department.
SIIT would be expected to pay two lump sums 60 days after each semester in the fall and winter. The first year is expected to cost SIIT around 36,000.
OTHER ITEMS
Council also approved a 60 million loan for the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant, and an efficiency review for the citys operations that would cost up to 250,000.
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TIM MONTANA
GET EM UP
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CARRIE UNDERWOOD
TAKE ME OUT
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CLAY WALKER
EASY GOIN
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JON PARDI
HEARTACHE ON THE DANCEFLOOR
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BRETT ELDREDGE
BEAT OF THE MUSIC
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SCOTTY MCCREERY
DAMN STRAIT
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KEITH URBAN
BREAK ON ME
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KENNY CHESNEY
SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAY
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DUSTIN LYNCH
SEEIN RED
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MONTGOMERY GENTRY
KING OF THE WORLD
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