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Uride gets Police Services Board approval

Thunder Bay-based rideshare company gets green light from police board; city council to vote on changes to taxi by-law
Uride
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The Police Services Board has given Thunder Bay-based ridesharing company Uride the green light to operate in Sault Ste. Marie. 

The approval of the application submitted to the board by Uride has been granted on the condition that “every reasonable effort is made to meet the requirements and paperwork necessary to finalize the application for this new business,” according to the police board resolution. 

According to the rideshare company’s website, Uride’s drivers must have a clean driving record, possess a licence and insurance, and cannot have a criminal record.

Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Chief Hugh Stevenson told reporters during Thursday’s meeting of the Police Services Board that city police will conduct the proper security checks on Uride drivers to maintain public safety.

“Currently the by-law, as it reads today, says that we will give each driver a written driving test, as well as a peripheral safety check of the vehicle,” said Stevenson. “I do believe there’s going to be some changes to that at the next municipal council meeting to reflect that in the future - based on their vote - the police will simply do the vulnerable person check of the drivers.”

The following changes to the existing city by-law surrounding vehicles for hire will be voted on during the Nov. 4 city council meeting: 

THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF SAULT STE. MARIE

BY-LAW 2019-221

TAXIS: (R1.74) A by-law to amend By-law 2011-161 (Taxis).

THE COUNCIL of The Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie hereby ENACTS as follows:

1. BY-LAW 2011-161 AMENDED

Schedule “A” of By-law 2011-161 is amended as follows:

A) Part II Section 6.6 delete

“Every applicant other than those applying for a renewal, or replacement for lost,

stolen or destroyed licence shall submit himself/herself to a written examination. The

applicant must attain a minimum of 80% (eighty) in the examination before he or she

can be licensed.”

B) Part III Duties of Chief of Police Section 7.0(x) delete

“cause inspections to be made of all vehicles for hire to ensure the vehicle meets the

requirements of this by-law.”

Schedule “B” of By-law 2011-161 is amended as follows:

C) 34(1)(b) delete

“the PTP vehicle is no more than 5 years old, excluding the manufactured year.”

And insert

“the PTP vehicle is no more than 10 years old and have less than Three Hundred

Thousand (300,000 km) kilometers on the vehicle.”

2. EFFECTIVE DATE

This by-law takes effect on the day of its final passing.

City council originally approved rideshare businesses in the Sault Oct. 7. 

Union Cab changes hands

In other news, the Police Services Board approved the request of Oliver Wilson to transfer the ownership of Union Cab to Michael and Lesley Cowan.


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James Hopkin

About the Author: James Hopkin

James Hopkin is a reporter for SooToday in Sault Ste. Marie
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