Preparing for 2010

Vancouver is Host City of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.  The venues for the 2010 Winter Games stretch over a 120-kilometre zone from Richmond, through Vancouver’s downtown centre, and north to the mountain resort of Whistler.  Over 5,500 athletes and team officials are projected to attend the Olympic Games, and 1,350 athletes and team officials are projected to attend the Paralympic Games.  As well, over 10,000 media representatives, a workforce of more than 50,000, and approximately 1.2 million spectators are anticipated for the Olympics.  Approximately 600,000 spectators are expected to attend the Paralympics.

The high volume of visitors over a short period of time will create unique opportunities and challenges for the commercial passenger transportation industry. The Passenger Transportation Board and Passenger Transportation Branch of the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure are working with industry to create an environment that will enable visitors and residents to have access to world class passenger transportation services during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

2010 Options for Taxis and Limousines

In the lead up to the 2010 Winter Games, the Passenger Transportation Board and the Passenger Transportation Branch of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure have consulted with representatives from the taxi and limousine industries, municipalities and VANOC regarding taxi and limousine service levels. As a result, the Board published its Regulatory Framework for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games that enables operators to respond quickly and more easily to the expected short-term increases in demand for transportation services. More specifically, the Board is introducing the following three ways for taxi and limousine companies to operate more vehicles in the Vancouver and Whistler areas throughout the 2010 Games period. These are Board policies. Companies may also wish to contact their local government about any municipal bylaws that apply to them.

  1. 2010 Temporary Operating Permits (TOPs) Taxi and limousine companies in the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) and Squamish Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) will be able to increase their fleet size for a 60-day period during the Games. Through the permit system taxis will be able to extend the working life of vehicles that are retiring from their fleets as well as add other vehicles to their fleet. Limousines will be able to expand their fleets by 50% or more. Eligible taxi and limousine companies can now apply for 2010 temporary operating permits. Click here to get an application form and more details at the Branch website.
  2. 2010 Temporary Service Clauses (TSCs) Taxi and limousine companies from outside the GVRD and SLRD, who are aligned with a local company, will be able to provide service in these Regional Districts. Taxi companies must keep at least 65% of their vehicles in their home service area. Eligible taxi and limousine companies can now apply to add a 2010 temporary service clause to their licence. Click here to get an application form and more details at the Branch website.
  3. 2010 Temporary Boundary Relaxation for Taxis (TBRT) Taxi operators in the GVRD will be able to deploy up to 35% of their fleet to pick up passengers at Olympic sites or anywhere else in the GVRD for a 60 day period. Taxis will be required to maintain at least 65% of their vehicles in their home service areas. Taxi operators in the GVRD who are dropping off fares in Whistler or Squamish will be able to take new fares back to the GVRD. Taxi companies in Whistler and Squamish who are dropping off fares in the GVRD will be able to take new fares back to the SLRD. This is a greener, more efficient use of vehicles. Eligible taxi companies can now give notice about the number of vehicles they will operate under TBRT. Click here to get more details at the Branch website.

Rates

Taxi operators must keep charging the metered rates that have been approved by the Board. This lets all taxi users, including seniors and persons with disabilities, hire a taxi at regular rates during the 2010 Winter Games.

For limousines, the Board introducing minimum and maximum rates during the Games. Common rules are also established for the period. These steps will give limousine operators the flexibility to set prices and discourage rate exploitation. More details about limousine rates and rules are set out on pages 16-18 of the Regulatory Framework.

More 2010 Games Information and Applications

More details and all forms are available at the website of the Registrar of Passenger Transportation (and Passenger Transportation Branch):

Passenger Transportation Branch | 2010 Games Information and Applications

External Links

Board Documents

Board Consultations