Members of the public are invited to apply to the committee that steers taxi service in town. The Taxi Advisory Committee is looking for two citizen members, leading up to a council debate on Dec. 9, regarding changes to the taxi bylaw.
The committee is looking for people who have knowledge of the industry, such as frequent users, support staff who work with chauffeurs or workers from businesses that use taxis and limousines. Over the last year, the group has been working to rewrite the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw, which prompted cab drivers to strike and make other threats to stop service.
“We’re bringing forward the changes that we see that have been identified to us now. But going forward, that doesn’t mean that a year from now that there might not be other things,” says Chief Taxi Inspector Phil Walding.
TAC is also adding a seat for a limousine driver, and looking to fill three spots for taxi drivers. Abdihannan Hussein has been leading drivers in their protests against the bylaw. He claimed he was voted out of the committee because of frequent contact with Fort McMurray media. Walding says Hussein was “expelled” and two other drivers resigned.
“In some cases their views are quite different than those of users, or even of administration. So for us to have a consensus, we really need drivers at the table,” says Walding.
Drivers will pick who they want representing them at the meeting while interested citizen applicants can contact the committee.
