Third taxi company is approved by North Battleford council

A third taxi cab company now has city approval to be in business in North Battleford under its new vehicle for hire bylaw.

The company is Fast Ride Taxicab Service, which applied for and was granted four taxi cab licenses in association with a four-car rideshare service.

Director of Planning and Development Jennifer Niesink told council the Fast Ride application met all of the criteria of the city, and the application was swiftly approved at Monday’s council meeting.

According to a city memo dated Aug. 17 from junior planner Brett Kitchen, the applicant provided administration with the drivers’ names and with vehicle registrations for the cabs. Drivers will need to submit annual criminal record checks, in accordance with the vehicle for hire bylaw, and to ensure the safety of riders prior to opening. The location of the office is to be on 100th Street.

Fast Ride Taxicab Service is the second new company to be approved under the city’s vehicle for hire bylaw, which was brought in last December to open up the North Battleford market to additional taxi and ride share services.

Until this year, Crown Cab had been the sole licensed taxi provider in the city of North Battleford. In May, NB City Cab Inc. became the first new cab company to begin business under the new bylaw.