Taxi rates policy

Taxi rates policy

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Context

As per the Board’s Rates Rules, taxi licensees may only charge rates that are approved in writing by the Board. These rates may include metered rates, hourly rates, point-to-point rates, or individual fares. This policy clarifies the interpretation of this rule. 

Applicability

This policy applies to all taxi licensees with a passenger directed vehicle authorization (PDVA). 

Policy

Taxi fare estimates

  • If a dispatcher or driver provides a fare estimate before a trip, the final fare charged must be the amount displayed on the taxi meter at the end of the trip.
  • Estimates are for reference only and are not to be treated as fixed fares.

Passenger-initiated trip changes

  • If a passenger changes the route, destination, or otherwise extends the trip in a way that increases time or distance:
    • The meter must remain active and record the adjusted trip fare.
    • The passenger must be charged the full metered fare for the revised trip.

Trip delays or detours

  • When delays occur due to factors outside the driver’s control (e.g., road construction, detours, ferry waits, or heavy traffic):
    • The meter calculates the extra time and/or distance.
    • The passenger is responsible for the full metered fare, including any additional amount calculated by the meter resulting from these delays.

Non-metered rates

  • Non-metered rates (e.g., flat rates) may only be charged when they have been explicitly approved in writing by the Board.
  • Charging non-metered rates without Board approval is a violation of Rule 2(2).

Deadhead charges

  • A taxi licensee may not charge a “deadhead” fee (i.e., the cost of traveling to or from a pickup location without a passenger) unless this charge has been expressly approved in writing by the Board.

Legislation

In Part 1 of the Act, “rates” is defined as:
in relation to compensation that may be charged or collected for the transportation of passengers in commercial passenger vehicles, includes the following:

 (a) discount fares;

 (b) round-trip fares;

 (c) point-to-point fares;

 (d) deadhead charges;

 (e) minimum and maximum charges;

 (f) any other fares, fees or charges;

7   (1) Without limiting section 6(4), the Board my do any or all of the following:

(f) approve, or set, for the purpose of establishing just and uniform 
charges, rates to be charged by a licensee in respect of passenger 
directed vehicles operated under a licence… and approve any rule, practice 
or tariff of the licensee relating to those rates.

(g) 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

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