Item - 2025.EX21.5

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council amend Chapter 546-51 to permit the maximum age limit of wheelchair accessible vehicles used as a taxicab or Private Transportation Company vehicle to be up to ten model years old.

2. City Council amend Chapter 546 to permit a vehicle registered with Municipal Licensing and Standards for use as a taxicab or sedan limousine as of December 31, 2024 and that is required to be replaced by March 31, 2025 to continue to be used as a taxicab or sedan limousine until August 29, 2025.

The Executive Committee directed the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to report directly to the March 26, 27 and 28, 2025 meeting of City Council on:

a. the anticipated impact of tariffs on the price and supply of automobiles that are eligible to be operated as a taxicab; and

b. whether, due to tariff impacts on relevant automobiles, the date by which a registered taxicab with the model year 2016 or 2017 is required to be replaced should be extended beyond March 31, 2025.

The by-law regulating vehicles-for-hire in the City of Toronto mandates maximum allowable ages for vehicles used as a taxicab, limousine or for a private transportation company. I have heard from the vehicle-for-hire industry that a significant proportion of vehicles are due to expire as of March 31st, 2025.

Of particular concern is that 45 wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs), or approximately 10 percent of the existing fleet, are due to expire this year, and a further 203 are set to expire next year. Without a change to the by-law, there is a significant risk of losing these vehicles from the fleet, which would further reduce accessible service in the City.

In addition, according to staff about 1,300 sedan taxicabs (representing 37 percent of all current active taxicabs) reach their vehicle age limit on March 31, 2025. Many of those who have ordered their replacement vehicle are affected by severe delays in vehicle delivery and taxi outfitting (including installation of bylaw-required equipment). 

That is why I am proposing to take two actions to help the vehicle-for-hire industry: first I am asking that Council permanently extend the maximum vehicle age limit from seven to ten model years for all vehicles-for-hire that are wheelchair accessible. Second, I am proposing to temporarily extend the expiry date from March 31, 2025 to August 29, 2025 for sedan taxicabs or limousines to reflect current supply chain challenges.

While these two actions respond to an urgent, time-sensitive issue, I recommend that the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards be granted additional time to complete the work related to taxi data and accessibility that was requested of them as part of 2024.EX19.3.