By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
City of Martensville councillors voted during their November 3 meeting to approve an application by a Saskatchewan-based rideshare company to begin operating a Transportation Network Company (TNC) within the community, subject to meeting insurance and licensing fee requirements under the city’s Vehicle for Hire Bylaw.
As noted in an administration report, Spinr Mobility Inc. is a Saskatchewan-based company headquartered in Regina.
Director of Recreation and Planning Roxane Melnyk added they apparently have 450 drivers in the Saskatoon area, some of whom are residents of Martensville.
Notably, this is the first time a rideshare company has submitted an application to operate a vehicle-for-hire service within the city.
“Their intent is to actually operate in Martensville,” Melnyk said.
A TNC provides pre-arranged passenger transportation through a digital platform, such as a mobile application that connects passengers with drivers approved by the TNC. Examples of such TNCs include Uber and Lyft.
The city regulates vehicle-for-hire services through its Vehicle for Hire Bylaw No. 7-2018, which establishes requirements for taxicab companies, limousine companies, TNCs and drivers-for-hire.
However, Section 13 of the bylaw specifically requires a TNC to submit an application to council asking for permission to operate locally. It also requires the company to obtain a business licence and renew that licence annually with the city.
Melnyk indicated administration researched Spinr Mobility and confirmed their insurance was up-to-date and their drivers are SGI-certified. That means each driver must operate a vehicle that is certified by SGI and they have to go through a criminal record check.
The administration report also noted that Spinr offers “transparent upfront prices, cashless in-app payment and a flat platform fee rather than a percentage-based commission on each ride.”
Mayor Kent Muench confirmed whether the company could convey a person from Martensville to Saskatoon and vice versa. Melnyk said it was her understanding that they could travel back and forth between the two communities.