By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Bylaw changes could bring ride-sharing companies to Lethbridge this summer

Jun 19, 2017 | 9:13 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Approved business licence bylaw amendments mean transportation network companies (TNC) like Uber could be allowed in Lethbridge by sometime this summer.

Duane Ens, regulatory services manager, recommended to City Council on Monday (June 19) that transportation network — commonly know as ride-sharing — drivers should be able to operate without individual business licences. He also specified that:
 
– no records for TN drivers will be held by the City;
– TNC’s would be required to hold a business licence;
– a copy of the transportation network company certificate of approval issued by the province would be required in order to issue a City business licence; and
– amendments to Bylaw 5658 would be required to create a clear distinction between taxis and TNC’s.
 
“The other option we gave was that TNC drivers would have to be individually licensed, because taxi cab drivers in Lethbridge have to have individual licencing.
 
“However, the province requires many of the same checks that we require for taxi drivers,” Ens continued. “So, the only difference really [is] the municipal taxi drivers licence, which they are required to carry with them in taxi cabs.”

He went on to explain that the Alberta Government introduced legislation in 2016 that strictly regulates TNC’s and their drivers, while taxis are mainly enforced by the municipality they operate in. He also consulted with other Alberta cities already offering ride-sharing services, as well as Lethbridge’s 17 local taxi businesses — who Ens noted were more in favour of the second option.
 
However, both TN and cab drivers will be subject to similar safety regulations, including undergoing criminal record checks. They must also have commercial insurance and registration, and hold a valid class one, two or four driver’s licence.
 
Ramit Kar, general manger for Uber in western Canada, said he hopes all of the pieces will be in place for the company to start operations in Lethbridge before the next school year starts this fall.
 
“When the students come back, it’s just one of those times during the year where TNC’s or ride-sharing becomes a big necessity for Lethbridge. So, we’d love to be here before summer ends, but beyond that, we’d love to be here as soon as possible.”
 
Kar added that Uber will continue to hold information sessions for those interested in becoming drivers.

Ens hopes the newly worded business licence bylaw will be ready for first reading by Lethbridge City Council within the next two to four weeks, moving on to second and third reading shortly after that.