Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The Difference between 'Airport' Limousines and Toronto Limousines

'Toronto politicians are fuming over a recent provincial government move that ensures airport limousines can continue to pick up passengers in the city.
The city of Toronto had passed a bylaw to end the practice but the bylaw was suspended after the limousine drivers and owners went to court.' via thestar.com
'In a move that caught Toronto cabbies and city officials by surprise, the Ontario government has quietly amended the City of Toronto Act to ensure that airport-licensed taxis and limousines can't be prohibited from picking up fares within city limits.
The provincial amendment ensures the death of a contentious city bylaw that aimed to permit only Toronto-licensed taxis and limos to take passengers to the airport – a short-lived victory for local taxi drivers in a 30-year fight over the lucrative fares.' via globeandmail.com


The problem here, is that the general public does not understand the difference between an 'Airport' limo/taxi and a City of Toronto limo/taxi.

'Airport' Limousines and Taxis
  • Licensed by the City of Toronto and/or City of Mississauga to pick up fares by lining up at Pearson International Airport.
  • Can now continue to pick up fares in the City of Toronto whether or not they have a municipal plate to do so legally.
  • 650 plated Limousines and Taxi's
Toronto Limousines and Taxis
  • Licensed by the City of Toronto ONLY allowed to operate in the City
  • Can only be operated by drivers that have a City of Toronto issued 'Livery License'
In order to qualify for a license you must:
  1. Have a clean driver record
  2. Attend a mandatory one week course learning CPR (which costs $300)
  3. Pay $350 initially and then $200 per year to maintain this license
  • Vehicles are tested every 6 months for a full mechanical and cleanliness inspection.
  • When lucky enough to secure a return trip from a passenger from Pearson Airport, must then charge $10 more than the 'Airport' Limos in order to pay this fee to the GTAA (Greater Toronto Airports Authority)
  • Currently Toronto has 3400 taxi plates, 1600 ambassador plates, and 600 Limousine plates.

A decision to continue to allow Airport Limo's and Taxi's to operate in the City of Toronto without having to adhere to the above requirements is totally unfair to Toronto Limousines and Taxis.

Currently, an 'Airport' Limousine can pick up a passenger from the airport, bring them to downtown, confirm a return transfer and take them back with no extra charges.

If a 'Toronto' Limo takes a passenger to the Airport and confirms a return trip, we have to register with the GTAA and pay $10.

The City of Toronto Limo's and Taxis have no problems with the 'Airport' vehicles that have a Toronto plate coming into the City and picking up. But, 'Airport' limos and cabs that are licensed in other municipalities should not be allowed to come into our 'territory' and pick up fares that should go to Toronto licensed vehicles.

We pay a lot of money to the City in order to operate legally. If our fares are going to companies and vehicles that are not licensed by the City, then why are we continuing to follow the rules?

The argument that not allowing Airport limos to pick up in Toronto would kill the companies is total nonsense!! All the Airport limo companies would have to do is get a City of Toronto license and go jump through all the hoops that every one else has to.

The Airport limos are very well protected at the GTAA. Peel police are taking care of security in the terminals to make sure unlicensed vehicles are not picking up their fares. Why can the City of Toronto not apply the same rules the Airport has?

The people in the provincial government that have made this decision are either very ill informed or are making a decision that does not make any sense. If they want to get involved, they should begin issuing Ontario plates that allow a plated vehicle to pick up anywhere in the province.

Toronto licensed Airport Limousines and Taxis are fully capable of taking you to the Airport in a clean and comfortable vehicle. Please do not let a few bad apples hurt the reputation of over 5000 well maintained, properly licensed, properly insured vehicles operating in the City.

1 comment:

  1. Thank you very much for this useful information. Its about time people get to know this things.

    ReplyDelete