AIRPORT LIMOUSINES SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE PERMITTED TO PICK UP TORONTO PASSENGERS BY RE-ARRANGEMENT. Brief to

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1 AIRPORT LIMOUSINES SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE PERMITTED TO PICK UP TORONTO PASSENGERS BY RE-ARRANGEMENT Brief to THE LICENSING AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE CITY OF TORONTO THE AIRPORT LIMOUSINE OPERATORS ASSOCIATION MARCH, 2007 Contact: Louis Vittas Airline Limousine 51 Roysun Road, Suite 13 Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 8P

2 BACKGROUND The Airport Limousine Operators Association (ALOA) is an incorporated Association composed of corporate members who hold all of the permits issued by Transport Canada under Government Airport Concession Operators Regulations (GACOR) for the transportation of passengers in luxury class commercial vehicles on a non-prearranged basis from the Pearson International Airport. The corporate members include: McDonnell-Ronald Limousine Service Limited (operating as Airline Limousine Service) Aaroport Limousine Service Ltd. Aircab Limousine Services (1985) Ltd. Airlift Limousine Service Limited Thomas McIntosh Limousine Service Limited The sole business of the corporate members of ALOA is the transportation of passengers in luxury class passenger vehicles to and from Pearson International Airport. A federal permit is necessary to pick up passengers at Pearson International Airport on a nonprearranged basis and the GACOR and Conditions of Permit for Limousines made under the GACOR, regulate all aspects of this portion of the business. Trips from Pearson are regulated by the Greater Toronto Airport Authority and pre-arranged pick-ups across the province are under the jurisdiction of the Province of Ontario as far back as To this point, all jurisdictions and private enterprise work together to provide a high level of service which protects the traveling public. Bill 130, an Act by the province of Ontario to amend various Acts in relation to municipalities continues this regime in connection with all municipalities in Ontario other than Toronto. Under Bill 153, a Stronger City of Toronto for a Strong Ontario Act, Toronto now has the authority to alter the regime for limousines operating in its jurisdiction. 2

3 THE ISSUE The City of Toronto is now studying the issues surrounding the ability of Airport limousines to pre-arrange pick-ups for the return trip to the airport because some critics are claiming that limousines do not confine their passengers to those who have pre-arranged a return trip but also pick up people on the street without pre-arrangement. They say that limousines are negatively impacting the business of taxicabs and are operating outside the law. The Airport Limousine Operators Association responds to these criticisms as follows: Our cars do not engage in practices such a scooping or picking up without pre-arrangement. Airport Limousines have contracted and pre-arranged relationships that keep our cars and drivers busy. When Airport Limousines are accused of breaking the law, they are being confused with other limousines or taxicabs which are coloured black, licensed or unlicensed in municipalities across the province, who do pick up passengers without prearrangement. Those are the law-breakers but the blame is also falling unfairly on us, the Airport licensed limousines. There are laws against these practices as well as against illegal cabs involving fines and suspension. We strongly advocate that they be enforced. The fines should be increased. Limousines are part of the business infrastructure of Ontario and are important to the way business is conducted across North America. In effect, these services help to underpin our economy. For business travelers, they are an important service. Travelers from the Pearson International Airport often want return service from their destination in Ontario to the airport. They can now contract with these limousines for a pick-up when they are ready to return home. To this point, they can do so. 3

4 It should be noted that taxicabs and limos from all municipalities have the right to pick up at the airport on a pre-arranged basis, the same basis on which that Airport Limousines can do in their municipalities. However, our limousines should not be confused with these vehicles which are smaller than ours and have roof-lights. Some of them pretend to be limousines. Our vehicles are newer, larger and more luxurious. They have been licensed by the GTAA to serve specifically as an Airport limousine service. In short, if the ability of our limousines to pick up passengers on a pre-arranged basis in Toronto is curtailed, that would deprive Toronto, Canada s largest city, the centre of the economy of the province of Ontario, of an important gateway service. Contracts with departments, ministries and personnel in the federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as business would all be affected. At a time when tourism and trade are key drivers of the province s economy, Ontario would lose an important service and the attitude of business visitors and tourists to the province would be adversely influenced. It has taken 70 years for the Airport Limousine business to be developed to this point. ALOA members hold 256 federal permits of which 195 were issued prior to Today, there are 256 vehicles involved, 1000 drivers and their families, and an entire economy of garages, suppliers and mechanics. THE SOLUTION The Airport Limousine Operators Association recommends that its limousines be allowed to continue as they have been to this point. Airport Limousines are a provincial resource. They provide an important service and are emissaries for the province. Their previous status should be maintained under the Stronger City of Toronto for a Strong Ontario Act. 4

5 One way to ensure that our Airport Limousines are not allowed to pick up without re-arrangement is by giving us a special designation: our limousines could be classified as Airport Public Transportation Vehicles (APTV) and given a special plate to be affixed to the vehicles in a prominent place. If our limousines are seen to be scooping or picking fares up off the streets without prearrangement, we could then be easily ticketed and fined. We look forward to meeting with the City of Toronto --- Mayor, Councillors and staff --- to work toward a solution of any concerns they might have. 5

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