Brief: Revelstoke city council supportive of proposed chauffeur bylaw

Current and future taxi businesses operating in Revelstoke could soon have to apply for a chauffeur’s permit. Revelstoke city council gave First and Second Reading on the proposed vehicle for hire bylaw at its Feb. 27 regular council meeting.

Revelstoke RCMP detachment commander Staff-Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky made the recommendation to introduce the vehicle for hire bylaw over concerns for public safety. Under the proposed bylaw the RCMP detachment commander is responsible for issuing the permits.

The proposed bylaw would require every person who drives, operates, or is in charge of a taxi in Revelstoke to obtain a chauffeur’s permit. The bylaw would also require drivers to take a 16-hour training course focusing on professional driving, cultural sensitivity, transporting people with disabilities and customer service in the tourism industry.

“It’s a good direction the RCMP are leading us in with standardizing who’s driving us around,” said councillor Linda Nixon.

City staff will connect with stakeholders to request they review the proposed bylaw and provide comment. City council are scheduled to consider third reading of the bylaw and stakeholder comments related to the proposed bylaw on the regular council meeting on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.