Belleville is opening the way for a ride-sharing business to operate in the city while it prepares new regulations for both taxis and ride-sharing, but there is a rule that must be observed.
The issue was discussed at length during Monday night’s meeting of city council.
Councillor Chris Malette who introduced the ride-sharing idea to council recently told council a prime example of the need was this week at CFB Trenton as 62 troops were heading overseas to Kuwait and Iraq.
Some of them were at a Belleville hotel where they waited more than an hour for a taxi to get to the Trenton air base.
Malette added, “Those are the kinds of stories we’ve been hearing from senior citizens who’ve missed doctors appointments or other medical appointments. Guests at hotels that can’t catch their trains.”
Councillor Ryan Williams said, “I wholeheartedly support an agreement to suspend the by-law so ride-sharing would be able to start. Would Uride (a ride-sharing company) be able to start?”
Councillor Sean Kelly told the story of an 86-year-old woman who had to walk many kilometres from the grocery store because she couldn’t get a taxi because of what he called “the incompetent service of two taxi companies” in the city.
Council approved a staff recommendation that enforcement of the current by-law be paused while a study is done, leading to new regulations that apply to both taxi companies and ride-sharing services.
This will allow a ride-sharing service such as Uride to open in the city soon.
Council added that any ride-sharing operation in Belleville must be registered and approved by the clerk during the by-law review.
