“Hold that taxi….stand permit,” says Paradise council

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Paradise is considering modernizing its taxi regulations in light of the advent of ride-sharing services such as Uber.

Earlier this month, council fielded an application for a remote taxi stand operating from Torbay Road in St. Johns.

The Town’s regulations, which were implemented in 2013, requires taxi companies to have a fixed place of business within the town.

“The Planning and Protective Services Committee is considering changes to the taxi regulations to modernize their content, considering recent changes in the industry, most notably the advent of ride-sharing services,” said Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street. “Ride-sharing services are not required to maintain a stand in municipalities that they operate within, and so the planning and protective services committee recommends deferral of the application to provide an opportunity to consider if an amendment to the Town of Paradise taxi regulations 2013 is warranted.”

Street moved that the application be deferred until the committee has an opportunity to consider the matter.

Council voted unanimously to defer the motion, and both Glen Carew and Patrick Martin noted the need for more public transportation in Paradise.

The provincial government issued Uber a ride-sharing license in April of this year, and the service launched that same month.