2 - Wednesday, January 6, 1999 - North Shore News Taxi regulatic NV District considers driver permits Martin Millerchip News Reporter miller@nsnews.com IF you couldn’t gota taxi in North Vancouver Monday night it was because many cabbies chose to attend a meet- ing of North Vancouver District council. At issue was the regulation of the North Vancouver taxi industry and whether the -tis- trict would take 3 similar step to North Vancouver City and petition the Motor Carrier Commission (MCC) to allow local minibus services to cross municipal borders. As previously reported. Local Minibus has a business licence to operate in North Vancouver city and district but has failed to get a temporary Provincial permit that would legalize cross-boundarcy fare transportation. Paul Sabating, a lawyer and spokesman for North Shore Taxi and Sunshine Cabs and a previous MCC choirman, asked council to defer action pending a provincial review of the indus- try. He also told council during questioning that the company paid a tax: insurance rate that was “four times” as high as that paid by Local Minibus. ICBC spokesman Sam Corea confirmed to the News the average basic rate of shuttle bus insurance is $2,300 while the same basic insurance would cost a taxi $8,300. Corea explained the differ- ence had to do with risk assess- ment, nat coverage offered. Healthcare job action threatened HEALTHCARE work- ers represented by the Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association issued 72- hour strike noticed on Tuesday. The bargaining unit repre- sents unionized pharmacists, laboratory technologists, x-ray technologists, » physiotherapists, " occupational therapists, speech and language pathoiogists and public health inspectors. A Health Sciences Association of B.C.(HSA) spokesman for the employees’ - bargaining unit was unavailable for comment to press time. In a press release issued Monday, HSA ‘president Cindy Stewart said that job action may start next week if mediat- ed talks are not more produc- tive. A contentious issus is a proposed reclassification of workers that Stewart said is aimed at alowing employers to unilaterally reassign employees and alter work hours. The employers’ spokesman, Gary Moser, of the Health Employers Association of B.C, said the other side is asking for more, than a 30% wage hike over three years. Moser said the employers have 2% avail- able for a wage hike. - —Anna Marie D’Angelo Tt was not cost, but safety that concerned orth Vancouver RCMP Sg. Bob Beaudoin. “Our concerns are with the concept of a minibus service itself. Many of the saiv-guards of the MCC are nota piace,” said Beaudoin. He Eetcd: areas of concern that inctuded. Mino deiver serevaing; Bo English lirguage require- nient; Bo area ba. ovledge require- ment, the nunsber of minibus cabs that could operate under one licence. But North Shore residents coative: to embrace cheap cab rides. Moira McCrea told the News it is Sunshine Cab drivers who don't: kaow the area: “When they started out they offered chauffeur like service, but now their drivers don’r understand English and I have to give directions to Edgemont Village.” On the other hand, said McCrea, the Local Minibus drivers are eveellent. “I've been so pleased with them. A fot of seniors wouldn't get out at all without them.” Rut McCrea also said she has never been asked to get out ata minibus and walk across the city/district boundary — a condition of the double: busi- ness licence system sounder which the company avoids MCC regulation. Council. ultimately agreed to ask its staff to draft a bylaw mn tack! that would require chauffeur permits and minimum driver standards “for all carriers.” Such a permit is different to the Class 4 taxi licence needed to dmve a cab and) would require prospective deivers to undergo 2 criminal record cheek. Municipal: manager Gord Howie told council he vould consult all involved betore drafting the bylaw. “They've opened up the door for input from the taxi industry which was not there before,” said Sabatine, Council also agreed to write to the MCC encouraging them “to regulate, in the interests of passenger and public safety, and allow” minibus services to cross municipal borders. The Motion Wear Company 25%-50% OFF Entire Inventory making room for new stock | (access. not included) | 086. 1185 206 LONSDALE AVE., N. Van. Underground parking off 2nd St. : Open Mun-Sat, Closed Son Natural Gas Rat Have Gone U As of January |, 1999, residential customers who use natural gas for space and water heating will see an increase of approximately $5.50 per month over the next year. Commercial and small industrial customers, whose. consumption can vary greatly, can expect an increase of 9% -14% Natural gas rates consist of a gas commodity charge and a delivery charge. 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