Licensees in areas with rate bands may submit for changes to their rates using the notification process. Proposed rates must comply with the rates approved for their Passenger Transportation Region. Licensees may only adjust their rates six months after their last effective date. No changes are required for rates that remain in compliance.

Board staff will review proposed rate changes to ensure they comply with Rule 3 – Rate Bands. If no issues are found, written confirmation including an effective date will be provided. Board staff will reach out if any issues are found to advise on their resolution. Licensees are permitted to change their meters to their new rates on the effective date provided by the Board. All meters must reflect the new rates by the adherence day, 30 days from the effective date.

Licensees that are connected must all charge the same rate. Board staff will only confirm rates once a notification from is received from all connected licensees. Licensees are considered to be connected if they:

• Operate under the same trade name
• Have fleets with the same vehicle markings
• Operate using a shared dispatch in which the passenger does not choose the responding licensee

New taxi licensees applying for metered rates within a rate band must submit PT Board Form 10 - Metered Taxi Rates(499 KB) (Part 1) with their application.

Some regions and cities in B.C. have different rates rules that define the rates all taxi licensees under that rule must charge. Starting in 2026, areas that have previously had common rates rules are being transitioned to standardized rates in their applicable Passenger Transportation Region. This transition will occur one passenger transportation region at a time. More information on the regions affected and their rates can be found in the Board’s Rates Rule 4 — Standardized Rates.

If licensees in a standardized rate area want to change the rate, they can ask the Board to review the rate. No application or majority threshold is required. The Board will determine whether the rate needs to change and what the new rate should be.

New taxi licensees applying for metered rates in regions with standardized rates must submit PT Board Form 10 - Metered Taxi Rates(499 KB) (Part 2) with their application.

Taxi licensees may apply for metered rates that differ from their applicable rate rule. Licensees wishing to charge these unique rates should provide a detailed explanation of their unique circumstances that distinguish the applicant’s situation from that of other licensees in their region and included data and/or evidence to support the request. 

When making a decision, the Board may also consider the following factors or questions:

1. Has the applicant provided objective and verifiable evidence to support the requested rate(s)? Is this evidence relevant to the calculation of unique rates?
2. Is the evidence or information provided by the applicant new and was not available at the time the rate rules were set?
3. Has the applicant established special circumstances in support of their application that are different than other licensees in their region, such as operational costs that are unique to only the applicant’s business?
4. Has the applicant taken steps to mitigate their unique circumstances or address any business issues that would prevent them from operating within the established regional rate band?
5. Could the requested unique rate, if approved, negatively impact the sustainability of the taxi sector in the applicant’s area or region?
6. Would the granting of the applicant’s proposed licensee-specific metered rates benefit the public?

Some regions and cities in B.C. have different rates rules that define the rates all taxi companies under that rule must charge (e.g. Metro Vancouver, Port Alberni, etc.). More information on the regions affected and their rates can be found in the Board’s Rates Rules 7-15.

In most areas where common rates have been used, and where standardized rates have not yet been implemented, the Board requires 51% of licensees to submit rate change applications before it will consider changes to a common rate. 

In the Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley regional districts, rate change applications must be submitted by licensees that, added together, are authorized to operate at least 51% of the taxis in their common rate area, before the Board will consider changes to the common rates.

New taxi licensees applying for metered rates in regions with a common rates rule must submit PT Board Form 10 - Metered Taxi Rates(499 KB) (Part 2) with their application.

Taxi operators applying to make changes to their rates must show the Passenger Transportation Board (Board) that the proposed rates are both just and uniform.

When making a decision, the Board may also consider the following factors or questions:

1. Are rates and rules clear and complete so total fares are reasonably predictable and understandable for paying passengers?
2. Are the rates simple to measure?
3. Are the rates within industry norms for similar services in the area or in a comparable area?
4. Are rates and rules for non-taxi services distinct from rates and rules of taxis in the area?

Please note: During the transition process to the new taxi rate structure the Board may consider if a proposed rate aligns with the future rate band for an applicant’s region to minimize disruption for licensees at implementation.

Make sure you understand the application process. It explains how the Board uses the evidence you provide in your application to make a decision.

Taxi operators applying to make changes to their non-metered rates (hourly, point-to-point, individual) must show the Passenger Transportation Board (Board) that the proposed rates are both just and uniform.

When making a decision, the Board may also consider the following factors or questions:

1. Are rates and rules clear and complete so total fares are reasonably predictable and understandable for paying passengers?
2. Are the rates simple to measure?
3. Are the rates within industry norms for similar services in the area or in a comparable area?
4. Are rates and rules for non-taxi services distinct from rates and rules of taxis in the area?