Vets Cab wants an exemption from portions of the city's parking by-law but the Environment, Transportation, and Public Safety Committee says it's not going to happen.
According to a report, Unifor Local 195 sent a letter to the city back in February requesting an exemption to the part of the parking by-law that prohibits vehicles from stopping in a fire route - something that provincial regulation won't allow.
Vets Cab General Manager Walter Bezzina says the reason for the move is to assure cabs can get as close to the building. He tells AM800 News he understands why the by-law is in place, but argues — cab drivers can move in an emergency.
"What we're asking for is the ability to stop and pick up or unload a passenger in a fire lane, we're totally attended to that vehicle," he says.
Bezzina says it's not just fire routes that cause issues, cabs are getting ticketed in different scenarios as well - there's liability involved in picking up people with medical issues and children from school.
"When I send a cab to pick-up somebody at a doctor's office they expect to be picked up at the front door. If it happens to be on Ouellette Ave., my guy gets a $40 ticket for stopping to pick that customer up," says Bezzina.
The issue will go before city council, but the recommendation is to deny the exemption and direct the cab companies to work with property owners to create safe pick-up locations.