Application

1. This Rule applies to licensees granted a special authorization with a designated PDVA: Taxi sector type in Passenger Transportation Region 5 who are approved to charge meter rates, except as otherwise provided in Rule 4 [Standardized Rates].

Applicable rate bands

2. If a licensee has two or more distinct Operating Areas in different Passenger Transportation Regions, the rates for each service must be in compliance with the relevant rate band for the service. 

3. If a single Operating Area spans more than one Passenger Transportation Region, the applicable rate band must be determined based on the Passenger Transportation Region containing the greatest portion of the Originating Area.

Rate band amounts

4. Licensees must charge the flag, distance, and time rates set out in the next section as follows: 

(a) The flag rate must be greater than or equal to the minimum flag rate and less than or equal to the maximum flag rate. 

(b) The 5 km trip fare must be greater than or equal to the minimum 5 km trip fare and less than or equal to the maximum 5 km trip fare.

(c) The time rate must be greater than or equal to the minimum time rate and less than or equal to the maximum time rate.

5. The following rate band amounts apply:

Passenger Transportation Region 5

6. All of the above amounts include GST.

Setting rates within the rate band

7. An applicant must include in the licence application the rates that the applicant wishes to charge within the applicable rate band. 

8. If an applicant does not apply for meter rates within the rate band but the Board approves meter rates within the rate band, the Board will provide a preliminary decision with partial approval requiring the applicant to provide written notice of the rates within the rate band they wish to charge within 30 days.

9. Rates are effective on the date set by the Board in its written confirmation.

Changing rates within the rate band

10. Licensees wishing to charge a different rate within the rate band must submit a Rate Band Notification Form to the Board, following the Rate Band Notification Procedure.

11. The new rates are effective on the date set by the Board in its written confirmation.

12. Unless the Board otherwise orders, licensees must start charging the new rates by the adherence date, 30 days from the effective date. The old rates continue to be in effect until that time. 

13. A licensee must not change rates within the rate band more than once every six months unless changes are required by the Board. This six-month period is restarted from the day any change becomes effective, including changes pursuant to Rule 6 [Taxi Cost Index].

Transition - Pre-existing licensees

14. In this section and sections 15 to 19:

(a) “pre-existing licensee” means a taxi licensee who, immediately before the coming into force of this Rule, is authorized to charge meter rates outside of the applicable rate band.

(b) “pre-existing order” means a Board order setting or approving a pre-existing rate;

(c) “pre-existing rate” means a pre-existing licensee’s meter rate that, immediately before the coming into force of this Rule, is outside of the applicable rate band.

15. Sections 14 to 19 apply to pre-existing licensees. 

16. Pre-existing licensees who have pre-existing rates greater than the maximum in the applicable rate band must start charging rates within the applicable rate band within two years from the coming into force of this Rule.

17. Pre-existing licensees who have pre-existing rates less than the minimum in the applicable rate band must start charging rates within the applicable rate band within three years from the coming into force of this Rule.

18. During those transition periods, the following applies:

(a) Pre-existing licensees may continue to charge pre-existing rates in accordance with a pre-existing order;

(b) Pre-existing licensees must transition into the applicable rate band by submitting a Rate Band Notification Form to the Board at any time, with no frequency limitations;

(c) Pre-existing licensees with a pre-existing rate above the applicable rate band maximum may only decrease the pre-existing rate until the rate is within the rate band;

(d) Pre-existing licensees with a pre-existing rate below the applicable rate band minimum may only increase the pre-existing rate until the rate is within the rate band;

(e) Sections 10 to 13 of this Rule [Changing Rates within the Rate Band] apply to pre-existing licensees;

(f) When a pre-existing licensee starts to charge the new rates, the pre-existing orders are repealed.

19. When a pre-existing licensee’s rates are within the applicable rate band amounts, sections 10 to 13 of this rule [Changing Rates within the Rate Band] apply.