Taxi services in Innisfail may be undergoing a facelift after a Red Deer taxi company was stopped by a peace officer last week.
An Associated Cab from Red Deer leaving Innisfail had stopped his handivan on the side of the road and was looking at his map when a local peace officer requested to see his business licence. He could not produce the licence, and was given a warning and returned to Red Deer without his passenger, who was told he couldn't continue his ride with the cabbie. Outside of the warning, violators of the recently updated business licence regulations face fines that range from $50 for a first offence and up to $1,000 for a third offence.
“I placed a call to Heather Whymark, director of corporate services in Innisfail, to discuss the warning,” said Daryl Frenette, Associated Cab company owner. “After our conversation I received a copy of the bylaw, which stated that to do any business in Innisfail any company must purchase a business licence. I have operated my company since 1987 and this is the first time I have run across a situation like this before.”
He added his company routinely picks up passengers from Calgary or Edmonton and delivers them to Red Deer without business licences in those cities as a matter of professional courtesy, and companies there pick up citizens in Red Deer.
“We are not saying that the Town of Innisfail is stopping businesses from coming into town to set up shop and generate an income,” said Whymark. “Rather, if our local taxi company pays a business licence to pick up passengers in town, any other company should do the same. Alberta Gold, or Associated Cabs are not exempt.”
Last August Innisfail council passed a new Business Licensing Bylaw that was designed to finally crack down on non-resident businesses, including out of town contractors, realtors and taxi companies. Whymark said the town is enforcing the new bylaw and in a situation like this, levelling the playing field for all service providers.
“Associated Cab or any other cab company is free to drop off passengers in Innisfail if their pickup point is not in town,” she explained further. “Without the business licence, they cannot pick up any new business.”
After the peace officer warning last week, Frenette instructed his dispatcher to refuse any customer pickups in Innisfail. Frenette added he has spoken to his competitor Alberta Gold which will now do the same.
Frenette noted he received an invitation from Wymark to consider doing business in Innisfail, which he's now investigating as his dispatching capability is computerized and his infrastructure is in place.
“If we do set up shop in Innisfail, it will be only if it is financially viable for our drivers and ourselves,” said Frenette. “According to numbers, there should be four taxis in Innisfail and we will not enter the market unless our drivers do not work seven days a week; everyone needs a break.”
Innisfail's taxi service runs Monday to Sunday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. A ride anywhere in town is $7 and is $5 for seniors, with a trip to Red Deer costing $50.
Innisfail Taxi owner Ray Plato told the Province he and his wife Hazel run two vehicles, a Ford Escape Taxi and a truck for deliveries. He added it is not financially viable for him to run after 6 p.m. on weekdays.
“There has been talk before about other taxis coming into town to offer service,” said Hazel. “I do know that I am busy in the daytime and quite often cannot take customers to Red Deer and leave my local customers without service.”
Hazel added she knows she can't stop another service from coming in to offer service, adding it's up to Associated Cab or any other company to determine if it is worth their efforts.
The Royal Canadian Legion also operates a community bus service to Red Deer once a month on the third Wednesday for $10 per round trip.
A report on community mobility services is expected to be presented at Innisfail council this spring by local FCSS manager Tammy Oliver-McCurdie.
