Passenger Transportation Act section 7(1)(g):

the board may…make rules respecting 
(i)    rates that are or may be charged by a licensee,
(ii)   any rules or practices of a licensee relating to those rates, and
(iii)  any tariff of those rates

To establish a core set of rules governing taxicab rates.

The rules below apply to passenger transportation licensees that operate taxicabs in British Columbia.  

A. Board-approved rates

1.     Companies may only charge rates that are approved in writing by the Passenger Transportation Board. 

B. Metered taxi rates

Use of taxi meters

2.     A taximeter in a taxicab must:

   (a)    be capable of calculating and displaying a fare based on time and distance; and 

   (b)    have a fare display that a passenger with normal eyesight seated in the rear of the taxicab is able to read at all times.

3.     A traditional (mechanical or electronic) taximeter must be produced by a recognized taximeter company.

4.     A mobile app may only be used as a “taximeter” if it complies with the “BC Taxi Soft Meter Rule,” as amended from time to time.

Adjustment of taximeters

5.     Taximeters must be adjusted to calculate accurately the current Board approved metered rate.

Testing the accuracy of taximeters

6.     Licensees are responsible for ensuring that taximeters in their vehicles are tested and accurate at all times. 

7.     A taximeter in a vehicle is considered accurate if

   (a)    on a road test, the distance computed by the taximeter is within 2% of the actual distance travelled; and

   (b)    on a time test, the time computed by the taximeter is within 2% of the actual time. 

Taxi fare estimates

8.     If a dispatcher or driver estimates a trip fare in advance, passengers pay the actual fare that is posted on the meter. 

Trip start

9.     (a)   Subject to (b) below, the meter may only be turned on after the vehicle starts          moving.

       (b)    A meter may be turned on before the vehicle starts moving if the vehicle has arrived      at the pick-up location and one of the following happens:

        i.   a passenger instructs the driver to start the meter, 

       ii.   a passenger enters the taxicab and instructs the driver to wait for one or more passengers, or

      iii.   a driver informs a passenger of his or her arrival, and after waiting at least 4 minutes, the driver does not see the passenger on the way to getting in the taxi.   

Trip end

10.     The meter is turned off when the taxi arrives and stops at the passengers’ final destination.  

Trip changes by passengers

11.     If a passenger changes a trip that increases the distance or time, the meter calculates the charges for the extra distance or time.   The passenger must pay the metered fare at the end of the trip. 

Trip delays or detours

12.     When road construction, detours, heavy traffic, ferry waits or other delays happen, the meter calculates the charges for the extra distance or time.  The passenger must pay the metered fare at the end of the trip.  

C. Non-metered taxi rates

13.     Non-metered rates may only be charged when they have been approved by the Board. 

D. Deadhead rates

14.     Deadhead rates must not be charged unless approved by the Board.  

E. GST

15.    (a) Goods & Services Tax (GST) is included in the fares displayed on all taxi meters.  

         (b) Unless otherwise approved by the Board, GST is included in all other taxi rate calculations.   

F. Gratuities and tips

16.    Payment of gratuities and tips is at the discretion of a customer. 

Tolls and other public fees

17.     In addition to approved metered or non-metered rates, passengers pay for:

    (a)    all ferry, bridge, and tunnel tolls and other public fees such as park entrance fees that apply to the taxi or its occupants (including the driver) and tolls for return trips even if the passenger is not returning with the taxi.

    (b)  notwithstanding (a) above, charges for crossing the Golden Ears Bridge as set out in the Board Rule Respecting Taxicab Toll Surcharges and the Golden Ears Bridge(84 KB).

    (c)   a driver’s overnight lodging and breakfast, if the passenger extends a charter trip overnight and it is not feasible for the driver to return to his or her originating area.  

18.     Licensees may not charge or collect from passengers the following fees:

    (a)    Credit card fees imposed by credit or financial companies on businesses

    (b)    Fees for booking a fare through a mobile app

Soiling a vehicle

19.     Passengers who soil or damage the interior of a vehicle with bodily fluids or solids may be required by a driver or taxi company to pay a clean-up fee of $75 in addition to the meter rate or any other rate. 

Personal baggage and freight

20.    (a) No extra fees are charged for the transportation of personal baggage, mobility aids or assistance dogs.  Personal baggage includes items such as luggage, parcels and equipment that would fit in the trunk of a mid-sized, sedan-style taxicab.  

        (b) In circumstances where it is difficult to determine whether an item is personal baggage or freight, the presumption is that it is personal baggage.  Charges for freight do not require Board approval.  

See the Board's Operational policy V.2: Transportation of personal baggage

Taxi dismissal charges

21.     If a person orders a taxi and changes his or her mind when the driver appears at the given address, a dismissal fee may be charged as follows:

    (a)    The minimum dismissal fee is an amount equal to the approved flag rate on the meter. 

    (b)    The maximum dismissal fee is the distance rate for driving from the taxi’s base or point of dispatch to the point of dismissal.

Refusal of service

22.    Sections 12 and 12.1 of the Passenger Transportation Regulation apply.

Company specific rules

23.     The Board may approve a company-specific rule for an individual licensee. 

Approved

March 23, 2011 (amended July10 , 2014 & December 2015; March 31, 2016; November 16, 2016)

Effective

November 16, 2016

Passenger Transportation Act section 7(1)(g):
the board may…make rules respecting 
(i)    rates that are or may be charged by a licensee,
(ii)    any rules or practices of a licensee relating to those rates, and
(iii)    any tariff of those rates.

To describe the Taxi and Limousine Cost Index (“TLCI”) and the implementation of a 2023 TLCI rate increase for taxis in British Columbia.

• The Board uses the TLCI as an objective measurement for identifying rate increases for taxis.
• TLCI uses Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for BC that is obtained from Statistics Canada and BC Stats.
• In the 2022 TLCI the Board included CPI data for January and February of 2022.
• For the 2023 TLCI the Board considered CPI data for March through December of 2022 and January through June of 2023 on a weighted average. Therefore, the Board is allowing taxi licensees to request a 2023 TLCI increase in their rates up to 7.3%.
• The Board will continue to monitor the current situation and adjust accordingly in the next TLCI.
• Taxi licensees seeking a rate increase greater than 7.3% or after the TLCI request deadline of September 17, 2023, must make a Change of Rates application.
• TLCI rate increases are optional for taxi licensees. 

1.    Applicability

The Board approved a maximum TLCI rate increase of 7.3% for any licensee:
a)    whose license has express authorization to use a top light or pick up hails from the street, and 
b)    who is approved to charge:
i.    metered rates, or 
ii.    non-metered rates.
Any change to metered taxi rates must include a change to the flag rate.

2.    Requirements for TLCI rate increases

To obtain a TLCI rate increase, taxi licensees must:
a)    complete and send a “2023 TLCI Request for Taxis” form to the Passenger Transportation Board no later than September 17, 2023;
b)    send notice of the TLCI request to the administrator or manager of each local government or First Nations council where the licensee is authorized to pick up passengers; 
c)    attach to the request form a copy of each notice sent to local governments or First Nations councils; and
d)    receive written confirmation from the Board before implementing a TLCI rate increase.

3.    Uniform Rates in Common Geographic Areas

a)    In Prince George, Nanaimo, Penticton, Port Alberni or the Capital Regional District, at least 51% of licensees must submit TLCI request forms before the Board will authorize a rate increase.
b)    In the Metro Vancouver or Fraser Valley regional districts, licensees that, in total are authorized to operate at least 51% of the taxis in the common rate area, must submit TLCI request forms before the Board will authorize a rate increase.

4.    Effective Dates for Rate Changes

a)    Rates are effective on the date set by the Board.
b)     Licensees may not change their rates before the effective date set by the Board. 

Prior Rule

The following Board rule is rescinded:

• Taxi & Limousine Cost Index 2022 dated March 17, 2022
   

Date of Rule

• Effective August 23, 2023