The Public GalleryToronto

←Economic and Community Development Committee · 2023-09-21 · 2023.EC6.6

The filed record

Transitioning the Vehicle-for-Hire Industry to Net Zero Emissions by 2030

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The decision

2023-10-11 · Toronto City Council · amended

As filed

City Council on October 11 and 12, 2023, adopted the following: Creating a net zero requirement for vehicles-for-hire starting January 1, 2030 1. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire, to require an individual, as of the date they are first granted a taxicab owner, limousine owner, or private transportation company driver licence or its renewal after December 31, 2029 to register and use a Zero Emissions Vehicle, and to require that as of January 1, 2031 all vehicles-for-hire must be Zero Emissions Vehicles, subject to the exceptions outlined below: a.

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provide an exemption for Stretch Limousines and Accessible Vehicles until further review determines that enough zero-emission vehicle models can be converted to be Stretch Limousines and Accessible Vehicles; and b. permit Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles to operate as vehicles-for-hire until December 31, 2032. 2. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire, to add the following definitions: a. zero-Emission Vehicle: A battery electric vehicle or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle included in the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's Green Licence Plate Program's list of eligible vehicles, or a similar list of Zero-Emission Vehicles approved by the Executive Director, with the input of the Executive Director, Environment and Climate or their successor, at their sole discretion; and b. plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle: A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle included in the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's Green Licence Plate Program's list of eligible vehicles, or a similar list of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles approved by the Executive Director, with the input of the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, at their sole discretion. Providing Zero Emissions Grant to Taxicab and Limousine owners operating with a Zero-Emission Vehicle and Private Transportation Companies for trips taken in a Zero-Emission Vehicle 3. City Council establish a Zero Emissions Grant Program, starting January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2029, that is: a. funded through Municipal Licensing and Standards' operating budget to a maximum of $10 million, or such lesser amount set by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, at their sole discretion, based on their view of Municipal Licensing and Standards' budgetary requirements; b. disbursed to taxicab and limousine owners who register a Zero-Emissions Vehicle at the time of application for a corresponding license or its renewal, to be applied against fees owed to Municipal Licensing and Standards; and c. includes a provision to disburse periodically to private transportation companies for each trip completed on their platforms using a Zero-Emissions Vehicle, for remittance to the private transportation company drivers who delivered such trips subject to prior approval by City Council of plans submitted by private transportation companies describing how Zero Emission Grants will be remitted to private transportation company drivers. 4. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to receive submissions from any private transportation company interested in participating in the program describing how it will remit the Zero Emissions Grant to private transportation company drivers operating a Zero-Emission Vehicle on its platform and report to City Council an assessment of submitted plans for City Council approval alongside the comprehensive framework for the Vehicle-for-Hire industry from the City Manager, by no later than the fourth quarter of 2024. 5. City Council direct that, once approved, licensed private transportation companies shall submit their plans to Municipal Licensing and Standards every year following on December 1, up to and including December 1, 2028; and a. Municipal Licensing and Standards will post the private transportation company's grant remittance plans on the City's website in a manner determined by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards; b. private transportation companies shall share their grant remittance plans directly with private transportation company drivers on their platforms on an annual basis; and c. any new private transportation companies licensed in that year shall make a submission to Municipal Licensing and Standards describing how it will remit the Zero Emissions Grant, for approval by City Council. 6. City Council amend Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-For-Hire, to require private transportation companies to maintain business records of: a. trips that specify whether or not the trip was completed in a Zero-Emission Vehicle, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or internal combustion engine vehicle; b. the total amount of Zero Emissions Grants remitted to private transportation company drivers on a monthly basis; and c. the make and model of each vehicle for trips completed in a Zero-Emission Vehicle or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. 7. City Council set the following minimum criteria for a taxicab or limousine owner to be eligible to receive the Zero Emissions Grant, they must: a. be granted a taxicab or limousine owner license, or its renewal, by Municipal Licensing and Standards; b. register a Zero-Emission Vehicle with Municipal Licensing and Standards for use as a taxicab or limousine at the time of application for a taxicab or limousine owner license, or its renewal; and c. provide such declaration or other proof satisfactory to Municipal Licensing and Standards that these eligibility criteria, or other criteria set by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, have been met. 8. City Council set the following minimum criteria for a private transportation company to be eligible to receive the Zero Emissions Grant, they must: a. be licensed as a private transportation company under Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-For-Hire; b. provide complete and accurate trip records and data to Municipal Licensing and Standards, as required by Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-For-Hire; c. remit the Zero Emissions Grant to private transportation company drivers in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-For-Hire; and d. provide such declaration or other proof satisfactory to Municipal Licensing and Standards that these eligibility criteria, or other criteria set by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, have been met. 9. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards or designate, at their sole discretion, to amend the amount of, or suspend disbursement of, the Zero Emissions Grant ("the Grant") to achieve the following: a. distribute funding as best as possible throughout the term of the Grant, within the overall funding maximum set by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing Standards. 10. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to refuse or cancel a Zero Emissions Grant if the recipient does not meet or no longer meets the eligibility criteria, if a Grant was made by Municipal Licensing and Standards due to an administrative or technical error, or if the recipient has not provided complete or accurate information or data to Municipal Licensing and Standards. 11. City Council require the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, if they are considering refusing or cancelling a Grant, to provide the recipient with written notice and an opportunity to respond in writing within 10 days, and to subsequently provide the recipient with written notice of Municipal Licensing and Standards' final decision regarding the Grant. 12. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to recover any Grant disbursed by Municipal Licensing and Standards in error or based on incomplete or inaccurate information provided by the recipient, and to require that the recipient repay the Grant as a condition of future license renewal. 13. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to fund, using licensing fee revenues held in the Vehicle-for-Hire Reserve Fund, one temporary full-time staff position for up to seven years, and to renew the position for one additional term, to undertake compliance and auditing work required to help ensure Grant recipients meet eligibility criteria. 14. City Council request the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to explore the reduction of the licence fee for Standard and Toronto Taxicab Owner License and Limousine Owner License to a minimal administrative fee when no vehicle is assigned or the vehicle is not operational that year ("on the shelf" licenses reserved for future use) until such time as the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards report back on a comprehensive framework for the Vehicles-for-Hire industry, to inform the development of the Zero Emissions Grant proposal. Developing an electric vehicle charging network to meet the needs of vehicles-for-hire 15. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, The Atmospheric Fund, the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, and the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back by the fourth quarter of 2024 with the City's plan to support the capacity and infrastructure needs of the electrification of the Vehicle-for-Hire sector; and the plan should: a. identify the type, number and location of public chargers needed to meet the needs of the Vehicle-for-Hire sector over time; b. identify the respective roles and contributions needed for a Toronto-wide public charging solution for the Vehicle-for-Hire sector, and develop a plan for the Toronto context; c. outline any necessary City resources and/or actions needed to meet the identified public charging and electric grid capacity needs of Toronto's Vehicle-for-Hire sector by year; d. identify electric grid capacity needs for electrification of Vehicles-for-Hire fleet by 2030; e. assess adequate consumer supply of zero-emission vehicles for electrification of the Vehicles-for-Hire fleet by 2030; and f. report on an annual basis from 2025 to 2029 including ongoing assessment of requisite infrastructure and capacity in the charging network, electric grid, consumer supply and other identified resources and/or actions for the sector to meet the 2030 electrification requirement. 16. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to fund, using licensing fee revenues held in the Vehicle-for-Hire Reserve Fund, one temporary full-time staff position at the Environment and Climate Division for up to three years, with an opportunity to review in the year following, to consider the advanced needs of the vehicle-for-hire industry in planning for public Electric Vehicle charging deployment and monitoring the availability of electric vehicle supply, in consultation with relevant City divisions, agencies and corporations. Provide education on Zero-Emission Vehicles 17. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with other relevant divisions, agencies and organizations, to provide education on zero-emission vehicles specifically for the vehicle-for-hire industry. Waiving the seven model year maximum for Zero-Emission Vehicles operating as vehicles-for-hire 18. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire: a. such that no model-year maximum applies to taxicabs or limousines that are Zero-Emission Vehicles; and b. such that no model-year maximum applies to private transportation company vehicles that are Zero-Emission Vehicles. Extending the maximum vehicle age by one additional year for vehicles required to be replaced by March 31, 2024 to provide vehicle-for-hire licensees more time to consider the 2030 requirement 19. City Council, despite the provisions of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire, permit vehicles-for-hire that are required to be replaced by March 31, 2024 due to their vehicle age to operate for one additional year, to allow vehicle owners time to determine if they wish to purchase a Zero-Emission Vehicle or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle as a replacement vehicle. Implementation 20. In order to manage current levels of greenhouse gas emissions in Vehicle-for-Hire industry, City Council implement a policy to maintain the net total of vehicle-for-hire and private transportation company driver's licenses at no greater than current levels, as of October 12, 2023, with the exception of owned, but not leased, zero-emission vehicles, until such time as the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, reports back on a comprehensive framework, including emissions, congestion and transit impacts, for the Vehicle-for-Hire industry and the appropriate licensing levels for taxicabs and limousine, as well as private transportation company vehicles, including consultation with the industry on fleet composition, by no later than fourth quarter of 2024. 21. City Council request the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to report back on the number of licences for vehicle-for-hire and private transportation companies, including an assessment of: a. the numbers and limits imposed in other municipalities and a jurisdictional scan on regulations; b. limits based on total licence numbers versus the total number on the road at any given time; c. impacts of vehicle-for-hire and private transportation companies on traffic congestion and uptake of public transportation; and d. potential equity impacts of limiting the number of licences on areas without higher order transit. 22. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary bills to give effect to City Council's decision and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, minor modifications, technical amendments, or by-law amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor, and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards. 23. City Council request the Government of Ontario to reintroduce consumer incentive programs to encourage the purchase and improve affordability of zero emissions vehicles.

The vote

Adopt Item as Amended · Carried, 22-1

For (22)Alejandra Bravo, Amber Morley, Anthony Perruzza, Ausma Malik, Brad Bradford, Chris Moise, Dianne Saxe, Frances Nunziata, Gord Perks, Jamaal Myers, James Pasternak, Jaye Robinson, Jennifer McKelvie, Jon Burnside, Josh Matlow, Lily Cheng, Mike Colle, Olivia Chow, Paul Ainslie, Paula Fletcher, Shelley Carroll, Vincent Crisanti
Against (1)Stephen Holyday
Absent (1)Michael Thompson
Conflict declared (1)Nick Mantas
The whole record, all 25 members

Every name opens that member’s record.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

In December 2021, City Council directed Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) to set a goal of net zero emissions by 2030 for vehicles-for-hire (VFH), and to align plans for vehicle electrification and emissions reduction to achieve this ambitious goal. The transportation sector as a whole represents an estimated one third of the city's total emissions, of which the VFH industry contributes 4-6% of total transportation emissions.

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The VFH industry, which encompasses taxicabs, limousines, and private transportation companies (PTCs) such as Lyft and Uber, has a unique opportunity to be a leader in zero emission transportation, as VFH on a per-vehicle basis travel three to four times the number of yearly kilometres driven by private passenger vehicles. Transitioning this industry to net zero is part of the City's broader efforts to achieve community-wide net zero emissions through the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy. This report outlines a proposed approach to support the VFH industry to achieve the Council-directed net zero by 2030 requirement, including recommended by-law updates and complementary programs. It includes the following suite of proposals: requiring VFH to be zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2030 (with some exceptions); temporarily reducing licensing fees via grants for early adopters in the VFH industry who operate with a ZEV prior to 2030; supporting the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure; providing operational flexibility by waiving vehicle age limits for ZEVs; permitting plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to operate as VFH for an additional two years (until 2032) and extending VFH due for replacement in 2023 by one additional year; and providing education on the benefits and total cost of ZEVs ownership. The proposed approach was developed in response to feedback from industry and public stakeholders as well as consideration of the equity impacts of the net zero by 2030 requirement, as a substantial proportion of the VFH industry consists of lower-income individuals and equity-seeking groups. Accomplishing the goal of net zero by 2030 requires a financial investment by the City, and an all-of-government approach, including key partnerships with City divisions, corporations, and agencies. The proposals, both regulatory and financial, are the first step towards transitioning the VFH industry to net zero by 2030 and are designed to support the achievement of this ambitious goal as directed by Council. The goal of net zero by 2030 in the VFH industry is feasible only if equity-related barriers are adequately addressed and infrastructure development, ZEV availability, and market projections are achieved. Staff will continue to monitor and report back to Committee and Council on these key elements, as required. This report was prepared in consultation with Environment & Climate, Transportation Services, Policy, Planning, Finance and Administration, and Legal Services.

Staff recommended

The Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards recommends that: Creating a net zero requirement for vehicles-for-hire starting January 1, 2030 1. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire, to require an individual, as of the date they are first granted a taxicab owner, limousine owner, or private transportation company driver licence or its renewal after December 31, 2029 to register and use a Zero Emissions Vehicle, and to require that as of January 1, 2031 all vehicles-for-hire must be Zero Emissions Vehicles, subject to the exceptions outlined below.

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a. Provide an exemption for Stretch Limousines and Accessible Vehicles until further review determines that enough zero-emission vehicle models can be converted to be Stretch Limousines and Accessible Vehicles. b. Permit Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles to operate as vehicles-for-hire until December 31, 2032. 2. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code, 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire to add the following definitions: a. Zero-Emission Vehicle: A battery electric vehicle (BEV) or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (HFCV) included in the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's Green Licence Plate Program's list of eligible vehicles, or a similar list of Zero-Emission Vehicles approved by the Executive Director, with the input of the Executive Director, Environment and Climate or their successor, at their sole discretion. b. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle: A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) included in the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's Green Licence Plate Program's list of eligible vehicles, or a similar list of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles approved by the Executive Director, with the input of the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, at their sole discretion. Providing Zero Emissions Grant to Taxicab and Limousine owners operating with a Zero-Emission Vehicle and PTCs for trips taken in a Zero-Emission Vehicle 3. City Council establish a Zero Emissions Grant Program, starting January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2029, that is: a. Funded through Municipal Licensing and Standards' (MLS) operating budget to a maximum of $10 million, or such lesser amount set by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, at their sole discretion, based on their view of MLS' budgetary requirements; b. Disbursed to taxicab and limousine owners who register a Zero-Emissions Vehicle at the time of application for a corresponding license or its renewal, to be applied against fees owed to MLS; and c. Disbursed periodically to private transportation companies (PTC) for each trip completed on their platforms using a Zero-Emissions Vehicle, for remittance to the PTC drivers who delivered such trips. 1. A PTC shall submit a plan to MLS describing how it will remit the Zero Emissions Grant to PTC drivers operating a Zero-Emission Vehicle on its platform in a format prescribed or approved by the Executive Director. 2. Licensed PTCs shall submit their plans to MLS by March 1, 2024, December 1, 2024 and every year following on December 1, up to and including December 1, 2028. 3. MLS may post the PTC's grant remittance plans on the City's website in a manner determined by the Executive Director. 4. PTCs shall share their grant remittance plans directly with PTC drivers on their platforms on an annual basis. 4. City Council amend Chapter 546 to require private transportation companies (PTC) to maintain business records of: a. Trips that specify whether or not the trip was completed in a Zero-Emission Vehicle, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or internal combustion engine vehicle; b. The total amount of Zero Emissions Grants remitted to PTC drivers on a monthly basis; and c. The make and model of each vehicle for trips completed in a Zero-Emission Vehicle or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. 5. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards or designate, at their sole discretion, to set or amend the amount of, or suspend disbursement of, the Zero Emissions Grant ("the Grant"), and to set or amend eligibility criteria for the Grant, to achieve one or more of the following goals: a. Distribute funding as best as possible throughout the term of the Grant, within the overall funding maximum set by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing Standards; b. Incentivize the early adoption and use of Zero-Emission Vehicles by the vehicle-for-hire industry; and c. Ensure the Grant is distributed equitably among various classes of the vehicle-for-hire industry. 6. City Council set the following minimum criteria for a taxicab or limousine owner to be eligible to receive the Zero Emissions Grant. They must: a. Be granted a taxicab or limousine owner license, or its renewal, by Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS); b. Register a Zero-Emission Vehicle with MLS for use as a taxicab or limousine at the time of application for a taxicab or limousine owner license, or its renewal; and c. Provide such declaration or other proof satisfactory to MLS that these eligibility criteria, or other criteria set by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, have been met. 7. City Council set the following minimum criteria for a private transportation company (PTC) to be eligible to receive the Zero Emissions Grant. They must: a. Be licensed as a PTC under Chapter 546; b. Provide complete and accurate trip records and data to Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS), as required by Chapter 546; c. Remit the Zero Emissions Grant to PTC Drivers in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 546; and d. Provide such declaration or other proof satisfactory to MLS that these eligibility criteria, or other criteria set by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, have been met. 8. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to refuse or cancel a Zero Emissions Grant if the recipient does not meet or no longer meets the eligibility criteria; if a Grant was made by Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) due to an administrative or technical error, or if the recipient has not provided complete or accurate information or data to MLS. 9. City Council require the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, if they are considering refusing or cancelling a Grant, to provide the recipient with written notice and an opportunity to respond in writing within 10 days, and to subsequently provide the recipient with written notice of Municipal Licensing and Standards' final decision regarding the Grant. 10. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to recover any Grant disbursed by Municipal Licensing and Standards in error or based on incomplete or inaccurate information provided by the recipient, and to require that the recipient repay the Grant as a condition of future license renewal. 11. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to fund, using licensing fee revenues held in the Vehicle-for-Hire Reserve Fund, one temporary full-time staff position for up to seven years, and to renew the position for one additional term, to undertake compliance and auditing work required to help ensure Grant recipients meet eligibility criteria. Developing an electric vehicle charging network to meet the needs of vehicles-for-hire 12. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, in consultation with relevant City divisions, agencies and corporations, to consider the advanced needs of the vehicle-for-hire industry in planning for public EV charging deployment. 13. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to fund, using licensing fee revenues held in the Vehicle-for-Hire Reserve Fund, one temporary full-time staff position at the Environment and Climate Division for up to three years, with an opportunity to review in the year following, to consider the advanced needs of the vehicle-for-hire industry in planning for public Electric Vehicle charging deployment and monitoring the availability of electric vehicle supply, in consultation with relevant City divisions, agencies and corporations. Provide education on Zero-Emission Vehicles 14. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with other relevant divisions, agencies and organizations, to provide education on zero-emission vehicles specifically for the vehicle-for-hire industry. Waiving the seven model year maximum for Zero-Emission Vehicles operating as vehicles-for-hire 15. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code, 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire: a. Such that no model-year maximum applies to taxicabs or limousines that are Zero-Emission Vehicles. b. Such that no model-year maximum applies to private transportation company vehicles that are Zero-Emission Vehicles. Extending the maximum vehicle age by one additional year for vehicles required to be replaced by March 31, 2024 to provide vehicle-for-hire licensees more time to consider the 2030 requirement 16. City Council, Despite the provisions of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire, permit vehicles-for-hire that are required to be replaced by March 31, 2024 due to their vehicle age to operate for one additional year, to allow vehicle owners time to determine if they wish to purchase a Zero-Emission Vehicle or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle as a replacement vehicle. Ending the temporary 50% reduction of renewal fees for certain vehicle-for-hire licensees 17. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 441, Fees and Charges, to undo the temporary 50 percent reduction of renewal fees adopted by City Council on February 18, 2021 (EX21.2 - 2021 Capital and Operating Budgets) as a COVID-19 financial relief measure for certain vehicle-for-hire licensees, and return the fees to their 100 percent rates beginning on January 1, 2025, substantially in accordance with Table 1 below. Table 1: Fees to return to 100 percent Fee Rate beginning January 1, 2025 Ref. No. Service Fee Description Category Fee Basis 2025 Fee* Annual Adjust. 162 Renewal Fee: Licence & Permit Issuance Taxicab Broker licence Full Cost Recovery Per application or renewal $312.24 Yes 164 Renewal Fee: Licence & Permit Issuance Limousine Service Company Full Cost Recovery Per application or renewal $312.01 Yes 380 Renewal Fee: Licence & Permit Issuance Standard Taxicab Owner licence Full Cost Recovery Per application or renewal $1111.63 Yes 380.2 Renewal Fee: Licence & Permit Issuance Toronto Taxicab Owner licence** Full Cost Recovery Per application or renewal $1223.53 Yes 382 Renewal Fee: Licence & Permit Issuance Limousine Owner licence Full Cost Recovery Per application or renewal $785.96 Yes 439 Renewal Fee: Licence & Permit Issuance Taxicab Operator Full Cost Recovery Per application or renewal $338.85 Yes *2025 Fees assume an annual 2% inflationary increase **Toronto Taxicab Owners use accessible vehicles. Per Chapter 546, the licence application and licence renewal fees for wheelchair accessible vehicles are waived. Updating Chapter 441 for this licensing category is for administrative purposes Implementation 18. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary bills to give effect to City Council's decision and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, minor modifications, technical amendments, or by-law amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor, and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards.

Considered

  • 2023-09-21 · Economic and Community Development Committee · amended

    Decision as filed

    The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: Creating a net zero requirement for vehicles-for-hire starting January 1, 2030 1. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire, to require an individual, as of the date they are first granted a taxicab owner, limousine owner, or private transportation company driver licence or its renewal after December 31, 2029 to register and use a Zero Emissions Vehicle, and to require that as of January 1, 2031 all vehicles-for-hire must be Zero Emissions Vehicles, subject to the exceptions outlined below.

    Show the rest of Decision as filed, 5,173 more characters as filed

    a. Provide an exemption for Stretch Limousines and Accessible Vehicles until further review determines that enough zero-emission vehicle models can be converted to be Stretch Limousines and Accessible Vehicles. b. Permit Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles to operate as vehicles-for-hire until December 31, 2032. 2. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code, 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire to add the following definitions: a. Zero-Emission Vehicle: A battery electric vehicle (BEV) or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (HFCV) included in the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's Green Licence Plate Program's list of eligible vehicles, or a similar list of Zero-Emission Vehicles approved by the Executive Director, with the input of the Executive Director, Environment and Climate or their successor, at their sole discretion. b. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle: A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) included in the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's Green Licence Plate Program's list of eligible vehicles, or a similar list of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles approved by the Executive Director, with the input of the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, at their sole discretion. Developing an electric vehicle charging network to meet the needs of vehicles-for-hire 3. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, The Atmospheric Fund, the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, and the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back by the fourth quarter of 2024 with the City's plan to support the capacity and infrastructure needs of the electrification of the Vehicle-for-Hire sector; and the plan should: a. Identify the type, number and location of public chargers needed to meet the needs of the Vehicle-for-Hire sector over time; b. Identify the respective roles and contributions needed for a Toronto-wide public charging solution for the Vehicle-for-Hire sector, and develop a plan for the Toronto context; c. Outline any necessary City resources and/or actions needed to meet the identified public charging and electric grid capacity needs of Toronto's Vehicle-for-Hire sector by year; d. Identify electric grid capacity needs for electrification of Vehicles-for-Hire fleet by 2030; e. Assess adequate consumer supply of zero-emission vehicles for electrification of the Vehicles-for-Hire fleet by 2030; and f. Report on an annual basis from 2025 to 2029 including ongoing assessment of requisite infrastructure and capacity in the charging network, electric grid, consumer supply and other identified resources and/or actions for the sector to meet the 2030 electrification requirement. 4. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to fund, using licensing fee revenues held in the Vehicle-for-Hire Reserve Fund, one temporary full-time staff position at the Environment and Climate Division for up to three years, with an opportunity to review in the year following, to consider the advanced needs of the vehicle-for-hire industry in planning for public Electric Vehicle charging deployment and monitoring the availability of electric vehicle supply, in consultation with relevant City divisions, agencies and corporations. Provide education on Zero-Emission Vehicles 5. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with other relevant divisions, agencies and organizations, to provide education on zero-emission vehicles specifically for the vehicle-for-hire industry. Waiving the seven model year maximum for Zero-Emission Vehicles operating as vehicles-for-hire 6. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code, 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire: a. Such that no model-year maximum applies to taxicabs or limousines that are Zero-Emission Vehicles. b. Such that no model-year maximum applies to private transportation company vehicles that are Zero-Emission Vehicles. Extending the maximum vehicle age by one additional year for vehicles required to be replaced by March 31, 2024 to provide vehicle-for-hire licensees more time to consider the 2030 requirement 7. City Council, Despite the provisions of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire, permit vehicles-for-hire that are required to be replaced by March 31, 2024 due to their vehicle age to operate for one additional year, to allow vehicle owners time to determine if they wish to purchase a Zero-Emission Vehicle or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle as a replacement vehicle. Implementation 8. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary bills to give effect to City Council's decision and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, minor modifications, technical amendments, or by-law amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor, and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards. 9. City Council request the Government of Ontario reintroduce consumer incentive programs to encourage the purchase and improve affordability of zero emissions vehicles.

    Clerk’s note

    The Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Referred Recommendations 3 to 11, below, to the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards until such time as the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards report back on a comprehensive framework for the Vehicles-for-Hire industry, so that the the Zero Emissions Grant proposal is considered at the same time: "Providing Zero Emissions Grant to Taxicab and Limousine owners operating with a Zero-Emission Vehicle and PTCs for trips taken in a Zero-Emission Vehicle 3.

    Show the rest of Clerk’s note, 7,497 more characters as filed

    City Council establish a Zero Emissions Grant Program, starting January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2029, that is: a. Funded through Municipal Licensing and Standards' (MLS) operating budget to a maximum of $10 million, or such lesser amount set by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, at their sole discretion, based on their view of MLS' budgetary requirements; b. Disbursed to taxicab and limousine owners who register a Zero-Emissions Vehicle at the time of application for a corresponding license or its renewal, to be applied against fees owed to MLS; and c. Disbursed periodically to private transportation companies (PTC) for each trip completed on their platforms using a Zero-Emissions Vehicle, for remittance to the PTC drivers who delivered such trips. 1. A PTC shall submit a plan to MLS describing how it will remit the Zero Emissions Grant to PTC drivers operating a Zero-Emission Vehicle on its platform in a format prescribed or approved by the Executive Director. 2. Licensed PTCs shall submit their plans to MLS by March 1, 2024, December 1, 2024 and every year following on December 1, up to and including December 1, 2028. 3. MLS may post the PTC's grant remittance plans on the City's website in a manner determined by the Executive Director. 4. PTCs shall share their grant remittance plans directly with PTC drivers on their platforms on an annual basis. 4. City Council amend Chapter 546 to require private transportation companies (PTC) to maintain business records of: a. Trips that specify whether or not the trip was completed in a Zero-Emission Vehicle, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or internal combustion engine vehicle; b. The total amount of Zero Emissions Grants remitted to PTC drivers on a monthly basis; and c. The make and model of each vehicle for trips completed in a Zero-Emission Vehicle or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. 5. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards or designate, at their sole discretion, to set or amend the amount of, or suspend disbursement of, the Zero Emissions Grant ("the Grant"), and to set or amend eligibility criteria for the Grant, to achieve one or more of the following goals: a. Distribute funding as best as possible throughout the term of the Grant, within the overall funding maximum set by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing Standards; b. Incentivize the early adoption and use of Zero-Emission Vehicles by the vehicle-for-hire industry; and c. Ensure the Grant is distributed equitably among various classes of the vehicle-for-hire industry. 6. City Council set the following minimum criteria for a taxicab or limousine owner to be eligible to receive the Zero Emissions Grant. They must: a. Be granted a taxicab or limousine owner license, or its renewal, by Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS); b. Register a Zero-Emission Vehicle with MLS for use as a taxicab or limousine at the time of application for a taxicab or limousine owner license, or its renewal; and c. Provide such declaration or other proof satisfactory to MLS that these eligibility criteria, or other criteria set by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, have been met. 7. City Council set the following minimum criteria for a private transportation company (PTC) to be eligible to receive the Zero Emissions Grant. They must: a. Be licensed as a PTC under Chapter 546; b. Provide complete and accurate trip records and data to Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS), as required by Chapter 546; c. Remit the Zero Emissions Grant to PTC Drivers in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 546; and d. Provide such declaration or other proof satisfactory to MLS that these eligibility criteria, or other criteria set by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, have been met. 8. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to refuse or cancel a Zero Emissions Grant if the recipient does not meet or no longer meets the eligibility criteria; if a Grant was made by Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) due to an administrative or technical error, or if the recipient has not provided complete or accurate information or data to MLS. 9. City Council require the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, if they are considering refusing or cancelling a Grant, to provide the recipient with written notice and an opportunity to respond in writing within 10 days, and to subsequently provide the recipient with written notice of Municipal Licensing and Standards' final decision regarding the Grant. 10. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to recover any Grant disbursed by Municipal Licensing and Standards in error or based on incomplete or inaccurate information provided by the recipient, and to require that the recipient repay the Grant as a condition of future license renewal. 11. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to fund, using licensing fee revenues held in the Vehicle-for-Hire Reserve Fund, one temporary full-time staff position for up to seven years, and to renew the position for one additional term, to undertake compliance and auditing work required to help ensure Grant recipients meet eligibility criteria." 2. Referred Recommendation 17, below, to the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards until such time as the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards report back on a comprehensive framework for the Vehicles-for-Hire industry, so that the changes to City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 441 are considered at the same time: "Ending the temporary 50% reduction of renewal fees for certain vehicle-for-hire licensees 17. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 441, Fees and Charges, to undo the temporary 50 percent reduction of renewal fees adopted by City Council on February 18, 2021 (EX21.2 - 2021 Capital and Operating Budgets) as a COVID-19 financial relief measure for certain vehicle-for-hire licensees, and return the fees to their 100 percent rates beginning on January 1, 2025, substantially in accordance with Table 1 below. Table 1: Fees to return to 100 percent Fee Rate beginning January 1, 2025 Ref. No. Service Fee Description Category Fee Basis 2025 Fee* Annual Adjust. 162 Renewal Fee: Licence & Permit Issuance Taxicab Broker licence Full Cost Recovery Per application or renewal $312.24 Yes 164 Renewal Fee: Licence & Permit Issuance Limousine Service Company Full Cost Recovery Per application or renewal $312.01 Yes 380 Renewal Fee: Licence & Permit Issuance Standard Taxicab Owner licence Full Cost Recovery Per application or renewal $1111.63 Yes 380.2 Renewal Fee: Licence & Permit Issuance Toronto Taxicab Owner licence** Full Cost Recovery Per application or renewal $1223.53 Yes 382 Renewal Fee: Licence & Permit Issuance Limousine Owner licence Full Cost Recovery Per application or renewal $785.96 Yes 439 Renewal Fee: Licence & Permit Issuance Taxicab Operator Full Cost Recovery Per application or renewal $338.85 Yes *2025 Fees assume an annual 2% inflationary increase **Toronto Taxicab Owners use accessible vehicles. Per Chapter 546, the licence application and licence renewal fees for wheelchair accessible vehicles are waived. Updating Chapter 441 for this licensing category is for administrative purposes"

  • 2023-10-11 · Toronto City Council · amended

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