CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE on TAXICABS & LIMOUSINES (CCTL) GTA Airport Taxi Drivers Association Aeroport Taxi & Limousine Services

Transcription

1 CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE on TAXICABS & LIMOUSINES (CCTL) MINUTES Tuesday June 27, 2006 ATTENDANCE: Members Steve Shaw (Chair) Hari Ghumman Sami Khairallah George Mitsiopoulos Ranjit Singh Aulakh Louis Vittas GTAA, Vice President Corporate Affairs GTA Airport Taxi Drivers Association Aeroport Taxi & Limousine Services Veteran Taxi & Limo Drivers Association United Airport Taxi & Limo Drivers Association Airport Limousine Owners Association Absent Parmeshwerjit Dhillon Balwinder Singh Dhillon Mohinder Sandhu Airport Limousine Drivers Association Airport Taxi-Cab Association AMTV Association Also Present Tim Dougherty GTAA Madeleine Lim GTAA Lorrie McKee GTAA Janik Reigate GTAA Michael Sinclair GTAA Eric Tolton GTAA NEXT MEETING: September 26, 2006, 10:30 a.m. GTAA Administration Building, 3111 Convair Drive CONTACT: Josh Colle: (416) (tel) / (416) (fax)

2 1.0 PRELIMINARY ITEMS 1.1 Welcome and Roll Call Steve Shaw called the meeting to order, welcomed all in attendance, and Madeleine Lim conducted the roll call. 1.2 Approval of the Agenda Steve Shaw asked committee members to approve the agenda. The agenda was approved as presented. 1.3 Review & Approval of April 25, 2006 Minutes Steve Shaw asked committee members to approve the April 25, 2006 meeting minutes. Mr. Shaw noted that the minutes will be posted online and at the compound. Moved Adoption: Ranjit Singh Aulakh Seconded: Hari Ghumman Carried George Mitsiopoulos asked about the timetable for new issuance of licenses. Steve Shaw reported that due to Bill 53, the timing of new license issue is difficult to forecast. He added that the new license RFP process continues to be reviewed for potential impacts of Bill 53. Hari Ghumman referred to the new agenda attachment on Taxis & Limousine Monthly Statistics covering January May, He noted that his original request was for statistics on peak time trips. Tim Dougherty agreed that this can also be compiled. It was noted that the trend for taxi trips was downward during January and February. It was agreed that a summary of trends should be developed year over year, and be provided to the committee going forward. 1.4 Review of Action Items Steve Shaw reviewed Action Items from previous meetings. April 25, 2006 At the committee s request, slides of the curb-side signage were attached to the April 25, 2006 meeting minutes. The final excess baggage proposal will be provided for the committee s consideration at the September meeting and is included in the running issues list as item 5.3. Hari Ghumman requested that details of the peak period program be provided to the CCTL members. The matter was added to the agenda as item 2.3.

3 Steve Shaw had requested that the GTAA review the need for a policy on maintaining an appropriate van-car mix in the taxi and limo fleet. After the review, GTAA had determined that such a policy is not required. GTAA will continue to track the fleet mix. Sample draft letter to Minister of Municipal Affairs concerning the City of Toronto Act was ed to CCTL as per Louis Vittas and George Mitsiopolous requests. At the committee members request, the letter as drafted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs outlining the CCTL s concerns was sent under Steve Shaw s signature as chair of the CCTL. The RFP process for issuance of new taxicab licenses is on hold pending further study of the potential impacts of Bill 53 on the airport taxi and limousine industry. March 28, 2006 The issue of a permanent solution to the monthly rotation of taxi and limo lines at the curb was added to the agenda as item 2.7. Michael Sinclair will present information on this issue for the committee s decision. January 10, 2006 Tim Dougherty will report on the changes to T3 curb under item 2.6. November 25, 2005 In response to requests from the committee, Steve Shaw suggested that a presentation on groundside access at Toronto Pearson be provided to members at the September meeting. 2.0 GTAA ISSUES 2.1 Commercial Vehicle Holding Area Redevelopment Update Tony Nicholls, MGP Project Manager provided committee members with an update on the redevelopment of the taxi and limousine compound and the construction of the buildings for drivers. He reviewed schematics and renderings of the buildings, noting that renderings will be posted in the drivers trailers. Tim Dougherty will provide dimensions directly to Tony Nicholls. Specifically, Tony reported that the parking lot expansion should be substantially completed by August and the buildings in early September. He added that architectural and mechanical & electrical details are being finalized for the buildings and the lot will be operational at all times.

4 2.2 Bill 53 (City of Toronto Act) Steve Shaw indicated that this is a difficult situation for the industry and the GTAA is looking to the committee for input. He informed committee members that Bill 53 has passed and will come into effect either December 2006 or January The passage of the bill means that the exemption previously found in the Municipal Act allowing airport licensed taxis and limos to pick up Toronto-to-Pearson airport fares, regardless of the municipal license they hold, no longer exists. Once the new bill comes into effect, airport taxis and limos licensed by municipalities outside of the City of Toronto will not be allowed to pick up a fare in Toronto. The GTAA is continuing to analyze the potential effects on airport drivers; and the committee s insight and perspective is very important to assist in understanding the possible implications. As well, in mid-june, the province proposed changes to the Municipal Act, which effectively will mirror the changes for Toronto, in every other municipality in Ontario. This would mean that taxis and limos will have to hold a municipality s permit, to pick up in that municipality, even if you re heading to the airport. The changes to the Municipal Act have not received final approval but are widely expected to pass before the municipal elections in the fall of this year. George Mitsiopoulos and Sami Khairallah indicated they had heard that there will be no change to the taxi and limo industry. Louis Vittas added that he had been told that Toronto may recommend changes to the new Municipal Act that would preserve the status quo. However, in the event that changes are made, the committee questioned whether the airport can treat the City of Toronto is the same manner, whereby Toronto vehicles are forbidden to pick up passengers in the Airport. Lorrie McKee asked the committee about public vehicle licenses issued by Ontario Highway Transportation Board. Louis Vittas reported that these licenses apply to vehicles carrying 7+ passengers with rules and regulations very different from the taxi and limousine industry. Steve Shaw noted that the majority of taxi and limo trips are not one way and changes could greatly affect the industry. The committee agreed. Steve Shaw added that the GTAA is again willing to work with the industry through the CCTL to lobby government in an effort to protect the current system. It was suggested that the airport industry should hire a lobbyist to argue for the status quo to be grandfathered. As well, the industry must determine the potential negative dollar impact on the airport industry in order to challenge Toronto, although this will be costly.

5 The committee agreed that they must consider various strategies and Steve Shaw agreed that a briefing note summarizing the changes and potential impacts will be drafted by GTAA and sent to CCTL members shortly. Sami Khairallah indicated that he has written information which he will forward to the GTAA. This information will be attached to the minutes of this meeting. Letters from the Minister of Municipal Affairs with respect to the CCTL s position on Bill 53 have been included for the committee members reference. 2.3 Peak Period RFP As discussed at the last CCTL, the GTAA has reviewed the systems in place to deal with passenger demand for taxis and limousines during peak travel periods. Out of this review the GTAA will issue an RFP aimed at servicing the peak period business. Michael Sinclair updated the committee on the rationale behind the RFP and when it is expected to be released. Michael Sinclair spoke to the need to tighten up the GTAA s peak period process. He stressed that during certain times of the day or periods of the year, the GTAA is actually short vehicles and there is a need to improve the process to ensure that there are vehicles to meet the demand in the peak periods. Currently there are 6 companies or associations, (approximately 300 cars) which provide peak period service. However, as the service is still inconsistent he outlined the proposed GTAA new process for the committee s comments noting the following points: License vehicles in lots of 10, maximum of 40 vehicles (or 4 bidders) dedicated to peak period service Vehicles will be monitored using transponders Peak Period Licenses effective for a 2-year period and will be reviewed periodically Vehicles will have transponders which will be used to track cars during Peak Periods Peak times determined mid month for the next month Implementation date target is September 2006 Ranjit Singh Aulakh provided Steve Shaw with a complaint card from a customer outlining her concerns regarding the length of wait time during the peak period. The committee supported the GTAA s decision to issue peak period licenses to replace the existing program. With respect to new taxi licenses, the GTAA continues to develop the criteria for an RFP and will report back to the CCTL this fall.

6 2.4 Out-of-Zone Taxi and Limousine Rates Steve Shaw reported that the GTAA has received complaints from passengers regarding the seemingly arbitrary changes to the rates charged by different drivers to passengers travelling to destinations outside of the zone map. Michael Sinclair outlined the drivers current option range of $85 - $105 and proposed a set rate be determined by the committee for all drivers. After a discussion, it was agreed that a subcommittee of limo and taxi representatives would be established to review this issue. All four limo companies must agree on the rate and once the limo rate is set, the taxi rate will be set at 10% below, as per the current tariff rates. Michael Sinclair will coordinate meeting(s) and discussions on this issue as soon as possible. 2.5 Airport People Mover (APM) Steve Shaw reported on the Airport People Mover (APM) for the Committee s information. He indicated that the public trial took place on June 18, 2006 and that it is scheduled to commence operations on July 6, The APM will result in a reduction of the number of inter-terminal buses currently operating on terminal roads, freeing up the road/curb for other vehicles. This is a good media story, and Steve Shaw indicated that he would welcome any good story potential from the excellent service the taxicab and limousine industry provides Pearson clients. George Mitsiopoulos reported that through this committee, things are getting done. GTAA listens and responds. We are doing a great job! Sami Khairallah suggested that we profile a then and now feature recalling the time the road to old T1 was dug up and cars were being left everywhere while the passengers trudged with their luggage to the terminal building. 2.6 Changes to T3 Curb Tim Dougherty updated committee members on the proposed changes to the T3 curb, noting that this will allow for additional taxis and limos to park at the curb, as well as expanding the pre-arranged area to accommodate volume. Specifically, he noted that at the international curb area, expansion will go from the current 2 taxis / 2 limos to 3 taxis / 3 limos. During peak hours, this can be expanded to 4 each. As for the domestic curb area, the pre-arranged vehicle pick-up areas are being relocated in September which will allow for 6 taxis / 6 limos at the domestic curb. The committee supported the proposed changes.

7 2.7 Staging at the Curb Following the recommendation of the CCTL from the previous committee meeting, Michael Sinclair presented members with the new permanent solution for the staging of taxicabs and limousines at the T1 and T3 curbs. Part of this permanent solution includes improved signage at the curb. He referred to the signage (indicating that they will be backlit signs) and agreed to provide copies and arrange a site visit of the committee for their final resolution as to exact locations. 3.0 MEMBERS ROUNTABLE Steve Shaw surveyed committee members for news and issues. Ranjit Singh Aulakh indicated and Hari Ghumman agreed that scooping, although having slowed down during the major campaign blitz is once again on the increase. Tim Dougherty noted that the initial campaign was for 6 weeks and thereafter, it has been in effect twice a week due to costs and availability of GTAA, Peel Regional Police, MTO and other resources. Sami Khairallah indicated that if the respective groups budgets are too tight, could the industry assist in some way. Steve Shaw agreed that the GTAA would review this matter and report in September. It was also noted that as there have been no convictions to date as current cases are proceeding to court in October Ranjit Singh Aulakh added that passengers are complaining about smoking at terminal curbs. Steve Shaw reported that the GTAA is currently reviewing the application of the provincial law pertaining to this issue and will report to the committee. Hari Ghumman questioned whether a designated area can be considered. Janik Reigate stated that she is also reviewing this issue and will also report back in September. 4.0 CORRESPONDENCE Steve Shaw reported that the attached correspondence are self-explanatory, noting that most have been raised throughout the meeting. 4.1 Aeroport Taxi & Limousine Services Conditions of Permit The June 8, 2006 letter from Aeroport Taxi Services Sami Khairallah was included with the agenda for CCTL members to review and discuss. Mr. Khairallah is requesting a change to the GTAA condition of permits to exempt him from the 25% minimum driving requirement. This item was not discussed as the GTAA will respond directly. 4.2 GTAA Operations Bulletin GTAA Authorized Tariff Cards The May 11, 2006 Operations Bulletin regarding the new taxi and limousine tariffs and the requirement to use the GTAA authorized Tariff Card has been included with the agenda. This bulletin was also posted on gtaa.com and in the driver compound.

8 4.3 Airport Taxi-Cab Association The GTAA response to the Airport Taxi-Cab Association with respect to the new tariff structure and the use of GTAA authorized tariff cards was attached to the agenda. 5.0 RUNNING ISSUES LIST FOR FUTURE MEETINGS Items will be added to the running issues list as they come up at meetings and will be added to future agendas for discussion. All members can add issues and items to this list to ensure they are on future agendas. 5.1 Groundside Access Presentation: September Presentation 5.2 Sub-leasing Vehicles 5.3 Excess Baggage Protocol: September 6.0 ADJOURNMENT By consent the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday September 26, 2006 beginning at 10:30 a.m.