Taxi services probed after visiting councillor waits hours for accessible ride in Mississauga 

Complaints from an Ontario municipal politician who waited several hours for an accessible taxi while in Mississauga for a conference last month has prompted an investigation into the matter, city officials say.

A City of Mississauga spokesperson told INsauga.com the municipality is investigating “to determine what occurred and whether all applicable bylaw requirements were followed” during Region of Waterloo Coun. Chantal Huinink’s experience in the city on April 13 and again two days later.

Huinink, who uses a motorized wheelchair and is visually impaired, reportedly encountered several issues while trying to book accessible transportation by taxi over the two-day period while she attended a pair of conferences in Mississauga and Etobicoke.

For one ride, the visiting regional councillor waited for nearly three hours.

The spokesperson said the City of Mississauga takes the matter seriously and is now looking at accessible taxi services within Mississauga’s borders after Huinink “reached out directly” to the city with her complaint.

“The investigation is in its early stages and there is no confirmed timeline for completion at this time. If a contravention of the city’s bylaws is identified, appropriate enforcement action will be taken,” the city spokesperson said in an email to INsauga.com.

Huinink also complained to the city about other difficulties related to her search for accessible taxi transportation while in Mississauga.

Continuing, the city said in its repsonse that taxi companies in Mississauga “are not permitted to impose a surcharge specifically for providing an accessible vehicle. Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the City of Mississauga’s applicable bylaws, fares for accessible service must be consistent with standard taxi rates.”

The spokesperson also pointed out the city does not currently require all taxi companies to operate accessible vehicles. However, the Public Vehicle Licensing Bylaw includes a requirement that “if brokerages are contacted for service and are unable to fulfil the request, they are expected to refer the call to another company that may be able to assist. However, availability of accessible vehicles across providers may be limited at certain times,” the city spokesperson continued in the email statement.

“The city recognizes the importance of reliable and equitable access to transportation. As a result of this experience, staff will review current practices and examine whether additional measures may be appropriate to support improved access to accessible taxi services.”

The city added that residents and visitors who experience issues with taxi service in Mississauga are encouraged to call 311 to report incidents so “concerns can be reviewed and investigated, including potential bylaw violations.”