Mayor wants pedal to metal on ride-share law

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This article was published 21/09/2017 (2968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman is putting pressure on the provincial government to allow ride-sharing services in Manitoba.

Bowman said on Wednesday that civic officials are preparing a bylaw to regulate the taxi industry, including ride-sharing services, and he wants the province to pass the law to make it possible.

“Winnipeggers are telling me they want (taxi) options, they want ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft in our city,” Bowman said. “I want to let all Winnipeggers know I certainly share those views, that I hear you and that I’m with you.

The Progressive Conservative government, led by Premier Brian Pallister, introduced Bill 30 in the spring, but it was not put to a vote as the opposition NDP used legislature rules to delay it.

Once passed, the legislation would disband the Manitoba Taxicab Board, give municipalities the authority to regulate taxi and limousine services and allow ride-sharing services across the province.

Bowman said city hall expects the legislation to be passed and is putting the structure in place for implementation early in the new year.

He said the city is working with the province and taxicab board, doing jurisdictional reviews and additional research and undertaking targeted stakeholder engagement.

“Despite the legislation hanging in limbo, the City of Winnipeg is doing its best to prepare in anticipation of it being passed,” Bowman said. “I want to strongly encourage all provincial legislators to pass this legislation when the legislative session resumes in early October.”

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca