May 23, 2007

Markham Says Changes to Airport Taxi Licensing will Cause Financial and Environmental Hardship

Markham, ON ~ Markham Council passed a motion against recent changes made by the City of Toronto to its bylaw dealing with airport limousine owners.

"The City's bylaw change will prohibit all taxicabs or limousines holding a GTAA (Greater Toronto Airport Authority) permit from picking up passengers within Toronto. This will have a negative financial impact on the taxi-limousine industry," said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. The bylaw means travellers will not be able to use airport limousines and airport taxies to go to the airport. They will no longer be able to benefit from a flat rate, thus forcing them to take more expensive, metered taxi rides.

The Town of Markham licenses and regulates 52 GTAA vehicles that serve Markham and neighbouring municipalities. In addition to the loss of revenue for the 52 owners, there will also be a major impact on the Town's industry as these licences are integrated into the daily taxi business. There will be an adverse environmental impact because taxis and limousines will have to make one-way trips without a customer in the vehicle.

Markham calls on the Greater Toronto Airport Authority to pursue the issue immediately, consulting with the municipalities adjacent to Toronto on the impact this legislation will have on the travelling public.

Markham is sending a copy of Council's resolution to other municipalities with GTAA taxicab licences, including the Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Kawartha Lakes, Pickering and Dundas. It is also writing to the Province, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Markham Members of Provincial Parliament and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario about its concerns.

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Media Contact:
Marjorie Rebane, 905-479-7754
Markham Corporate Communications