Unlicensed North Bay rideshare service hit with 12 charges

A rideshare driver is shown in a car using a generic rideshare app on their mobile phone in this stock photo. (File photo/terovesalainen/GettyImages)

A North Bay, Ont., man has been charged with a dozen offences after police say he was running a vehicle-for-hire service without the required licences.

The North Bay Police Service laid the charges on April 24, following an investigation into an unlicensed operation in the city.

Police said the man was operating without both a driver’s licence and an owner’s licence under the applicable municipal bylaw.

A dozen charges

The investigation led to 12 separate charges under the Highway Traffic Act and City Bylaw 024, which regulates vehicles-for-hire, including taxis, limousines and rideshare services.

The individual faces six counts of operating a vehicle-for-hire without a valid driver’s licence and six counts of operating without a valid owner’s licence.

“Each of the 12 charges carries a fine of $630, for a total of $7,560 in fines,” police said in a news release Monday.

Police response

Insp. Scott McFarlane said the regulations exist to protect the public.

“Members of the public rely on the safety and accountability of licensed vehicle-for-hire services,” McFarlane said.

“When individuals operate outside of these regulations, it puts passengers at risk and undermines those who are following the law.”

McFarlane added that police intend to keep enforcing the rules strictly.

“We will continue to take these matters seriously and maintain a zero-tolerance approach to unlicensed operations.”

Reminder to the public

The City of North Bay regulates vehicles-for-hire through municipal bylaws authorized under the Municipal Act, 2001.

“These regulations are in place to support public safety, consumer protection and service quality for both passengers and drivers,” the police service said.

Police are urging residents to use only licensed ride-service providers.

Anyone who suspects an unlicensed operation is asked to call North Bay police at 705-497-5555 and select option 5 to speak with an officer, or to contact Near North Crime Stoppers anonymously.

The details of the local bylaw related to vehicles for hire and private transportation companies vehicles can be found here.

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