Complaints continue about a taxi shortage in the metro region, leading to demands for government to legislate ride-sharing services.
Minister Sarah Stoodley says there is nothing stopping ride-sharing services from coming to the province as existing taxi rules would apply.
In the meantime, local cab companies say government regulations are making it difficult for them to recruit drivers, but Minister Sarah Stoodley says the regulations are there for a reason.
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL says as of April 1st, there were 644 registered taxis in the province, a drop of 120 from the year before.
Stoodley indicates there are numerous boxes that must be checked before someone can drive a cab: a driver must have their license for two years before applying for a taxi license, and they must do a special course – which can cost between $600 and $1,000 – including a written test, a driving test, and medical and eye exams.
She says the rules were a response to increased insurance costs for the taxi industry.
The change was made in 2018 to help improve safety and to assure consumers that they are being kept safe.