BRAMPTON, ON – Today Brampton City Council approved an amendment to the Mobile Licensing By-law, creating a new Personal Transportation Company (PTC) vehicle licence category. Under the new category, ride-sharing companies, such as Uber and Lyft, can now legally operate in Brampton.

Staff began a review of the Mobile Licensing By-law as a means of ensuring the needs and interests of customers, the taxi industry and PTCs were balanced. The review included comprehensive stakeholder engagement and benchmarking other municipalities for best practices as consideration in amending the By-law.

Public safety and consumer protection were key priorities when conducting the review. The new vehicle licence category requires that PTCs collect driver and vehicle information and vet all vehicles to ensure they meet the By-law requirements. PTCs are required to apply the City’s Licensing Threshold Policy to all drivers applying to be on the PTC apps, which includes a criminal background check as well as a driver record check.  PTCs are required to provide proof of insurance, and must notify the City of any changes to their policies. Should a PTC driver have their own commercial insurance policy, a PTC is required to ensure it is valid at all times while a driver is using the app. Vehicles associated with a PTC must:
• Be a maximum of seven years’ old
• Have a trunk capacity to accommodate a wheelchair or other mobility devices
• Display an identifier as approved by the Licence Issuer
• Be listed on a valid identification card issued by a PTC, which is to include insurance coverage

Under the By-law, PTCs will not have minimum or maximum rates. They will be required to inform customers of rates, including any applicable surge pricing, and provide an estimated of the total cost of the trip is requested by a customer.  PTCs will also be required to list rates on their webpage, and provide receipts to customers showing a breakdown of any charges.

The licensing of ride-sharing companies will allow for increased competition and innovation amongst Brampton’s private transportation industry, and will help meet the transportation needs of the city’s young, technologically-savvy and rapidly-expanding resident populations in a safe manner. Staff will monitor PTCs on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance, and will report back to Council in approximately one year on any adjustments required to the licensing schedule.

For more information on PTCs in Brampton and the Mobile Licensing By-law, visit www.brampton.ca


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“Brampton's population is rapidly expanding and our residents are demanding more flexible transportation options to move around the city and beyond. The Taxi Advisory Committee has worked very hard and on behalf of Council, I thank each and every member of this Committee. Through the Committee’s extensive consultation process the City was able to produce a Mobile Licensing By-law that ensures public safety while effectively meeting resident and visitor transportation needs.”
- Mayor Linda Jeffrey

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