The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today announced the introduction of a provincial approach to ride sharing. This approach, developed after many discussions with multiple community partners, municipalities and ride sharing companies, will provide a clear and simple set of rules to enable ride sharing services to operate safely in Newfoundland and Labrador. It will also help to ensure consistency in regulation and enforcement.
To assist ride sharing operators in expanding business into the province, legislative and policy changes will be introduced in the House of Assembly, including:
- Eliminating the requirement for a written test and an on-road practical test in order to get a Class 4 driver’s licence to drive either a taxi or ride sharing vehicle;
- Waiving the requirement for a taxi licence plate to be on any ride sharing vehicle;
- Providing clear and concise definitions for a transportation network, a transportation network company and a ride sharing service;
- Clarifying the definition of taxi to not include ride sharing services;
- Introducing a system of licensing transportation network companies; and
- Amending municipal legislation to limit their jurisdiction to taxi services only and not ride sharing.
If passed in the House of Assembly, these changes will require the same safety standards for both taxis and ride sharing providers in Newfoundland and Labrador. They will also ease some of the administrative burden to help meet demand for affordable, reliable and safe transportation services in the province. The rules for both taxi and ride sharing drivers will be the same, supporting a competitive industry that will continue to thrive.
Quotes
“Residents and visitors alike need to have the option for safe, affordable and reliable transportation to help them get where they need to go, when they need to get there. Ride sharing can help provide this, and is another viable transportation option for the province that will complement the valuable services already being provided by the taxi industry. In many other cities, in many other provinces, taxis and ride sharing services co-exist and both are able to operate successfully, and we believe there is room for both taxis and ride sharing in this province.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“We have heard from stakeholders that having a single province-wide approach to ride sharing will increase the likelihood that ride sharing services will operate in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are pleased to introduce legislation into the House of Assembly this session to provide this clarity and certainty, with modified requirements to obtain a Class 4 taxi license. The amendments we are bringing forward today are intended to help both our taxi industry and ride sharing services grow and thrive.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL
“It is great to see the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador take positive steps to introduce a modern province-wide legislative framework that will support safe, affordable and reliable rideshare trips. If passed, this legislation will be a great step towards welcoming ridesharing to the province. As a next step, we look forward to reviewing the regulations and remain hopeful to launch in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Michael van Hemmen
General Manager of Mobility, Uber Canada
“The St. John’s Board of Trade applauds the step that government is taking today; increasing transportation options throughout our province will generate real economic impact. The business community, including many of our members, will directly benefit from the changes being made today. Ridesharing will allow residents, visitors, and newcomers to move around our province with an increased ease and convenience. We look forward to welcoming rideshare providers to Newfoundland and Labrador.”
AnnMarie Boudreau
CEO, St. John’s Board of Trade
“Destination St. John’s is delighted to learn of the proposed amendments to the Highway Traffic Act to allow for ride sharing in the province. As we market our destination to today’s traveller, this introduction of ride-sharing helps meet our visitor’s needs and supports our efforts to provide high-quality, market-ready services. This will increase our ability to meet our visitor’s expectations in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
Cathy Duke
CEO, Destination St. John’s
“Access to, from and around the province is a critical factor for tourism growth and development. Modernizing legislation to regulate ridesharing companies will enhance and complement our current transportation offerings and ensure Newfoundland and Labrador, as a destination, can offer industry standard options to the traveling public.”
Deborah Bourden
Chair, Hospitality NL
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