Huntsville General Committee backs proposed updates to vehicle-for-hire bylaw

The changes follow a deputation from the Y Drive rideshare company

Huntsville General Committee approved staff amendments to the Vehicle for Hire By-law during the May 27th, 2026, meeting.

The proposed changes stem from a March 25th deputation by Y Drive requesting revisions to the fee structure for rideshare operators. Following that meeting, staff were directed to review the Vehicle for Hire By-law and work with the Town's solicitor to examine possible amendments.

According to the report, staff reviewed the bylaw and received additional feedback from other industry providers.

Chief Building Official, Christopher Nagy, said, “Staff feel they have captured concerns.”

The proposed amendments clarified licensing requirements, improve enforcement, and ensure licensing fees better reflect staff time involved in reviewing and administering applications.

Among the changes is a new definition of "complete application," which would require all paperwork and fees to be submitted before an application is processed. Staff propose that applications for a full licence term be submitted by March 31, with incomplete or late applications subject to delays and additional fees.

The amendments would also formally define rideshare services and require rideshare trips to be booked through an approved website or app. Staff said the change helps ensure rides are properly insured and prevents street-level fare solicitation outside approved systems.

Additional updates would prohibit advertising a vehicle-for-hire service without holding a valid licence, establish fees for revisions to existing licences, and require brokers to maintain updated records for each licensed vehicle.

Another amendment would require licensed brokers to provide at least one vehicle-for-hire service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a maximum one-hour response time unless rides are booked in advance.

The report notes that several industry suggestions were considered but not recommended, including mandatory winter tires, minimum driving experience requirements, minimum driver age requirements, and allowing broker declarations in place of annual criminal background checks.

Nagy emphasized that the changes apply to everyone, “it doesn’t matter the number of cars or drivers.” He added that they’re considering “cost of staff time to get licences done.”

Deputy Mayor, concurred. He said, “Basically this is leveling the playing field for all.”

Staff also advised that the province is exploring a rideshare pilot program linked to the Northlander rail route. However, municipal licensing requirements would still apply and any future recommendations would return to Council for review.

Committee members discussed the potential to consider including Town parameters to the bylaw given complaints that ride providers are known to “pick and choose areas” they’ll service, thus denying people rides, and whether this is something that can be enforced to ensure service to the whole area.

By-law Enforcement Officer, Corey Crewson, indicated that they can investigate whether there are regulations to govern that.