Operating Standards
Vehicle-for-Hire By-law 31-2022 details the operating standards for each type of Vehicle-for-Hire.
Examples of operating standards include:
- Transportation Network Company drivers cannot pick up passengers at taxi stands or accept street hails;
- Vehicles older than 10 years cannot be used as a Vehicle-for-Hire;
- Drivers driving accessible vehicles must provide priority service to people using wheelchairs, regardless of prior requests for service;
- Taxicab drivers must follow specific rules for the use of their meters;
- Taxicab Owners must affix City plates to their vehicles
- Transportation Network Companies must screen their drivers annually;
- Designated Driver Brokers must maintain records following the City’s specific requirements in the By-law.
Please refer to Vehicle-for-Hire By-law 31-2022 for a complete list of operating standards.
If you have any comments or concerns related to Accessible Taxicab services, please email Licensing Services with the following information:
- Your contact information for follow up, including your name, phone number, and email
- Any relevant information about the vehicle and your trip, such as plate number, the date and time of your trip or service delay, etc.
- Any other relevant comments about the concern
Information of Soft Meters
The City of Oshawa has recently approved the use of digital Taxicab Meters in certain City-licensed Taxicabs. The digital Taxicab Meter may be referred to as a ‘Soft Meter’ and resembles an electronic tablet (e.g. iPad). The Soft Meter is used in place of the older version analogue meter which is often referred to as a ‘Hard Meter.’ If a Soft Meter is in a Taxicab, the Hard Meter will be removed. Both Meters cannot be in a Taxicab.
The Soft Meter is calibrated to calculate ride Tariffs in the same manner as the analogue Hard Meter and is subject to all the same regulatory requirements pursuant to Vehicle-for-Hire By-law 31-2022, as amended. The City inspects and tests both Hard and Soft Meters installed in City-licensed Taxicabs to verify the trip rate payable is calculated accurately and consistently.
A Hard Meter will have a physical tag attached to it to show the Meter was sealed by a City Inspector. The Soft Meter will show a ‘seal number’ to verify it has been sealed. To verify that the Soft Meter has been inspected and sealed by a City Inspector, the Tariff Card found in the Taxicab will show the same seal number displayed on the Soft Meter and show the date the Meter was inspected and sealed. Verification may be in the form of a sticker with the Inspector's initials (in the case of a recently inspected meter) or the information may be printed on the laminated Tariff Card.
At this time, Blue Line is the only licensed Taxicab Broker permitted to use Soft Meters.
Taxicab Tariff Rates
Rates include Harmonized Sales Tax. All Taxicabs must prominently display Tariff Cards.
| Taxicab Tariff Rates |
Rate |
| First 132 metres or part thereof |
$3.90 |
| Each additional 128 metres or part thereof |
$0.25 |
| Waiting time while under engagement, for each 33.1 seconds |
$0.25 |
| For each package or piece of luggage handled by driver in excess of four (4) pieces |
$0.30 |
| Wheelchairs, walkers, etc. |
No charge |
| Debit Service Charge |
Up to $1.75 |
