Passengers may soon be responsible for the costs of cleaning a cab if they make a mess during the ride.
A report from Saskatoon city administration is recommending changing a bylaw that would allow cab companies to charge riders a “cleaning fee” if they dirty the interior of a taxi.
Examples of messes left in the taxis could include bodily fluids, such as vomit or blood.
The taxi industry has been pushing for changes, citing instances when cabs need to be immediately cleaned as a result of a passenger’s mess.
Administration is recommending the fee be up to $100 and would be used to offset costs and loss of earnings while a cab is taken off the road for cleaning.
Taxi companies would issue the charge to passengers.
Other jurisdictions in Canada have a cleaning fee, which range from $25 to $100, in their taxi bylaws.
The administration’s report also says taxi drivers will begin receiving safety training from the Saskatoon Police Service. The training sessions will provide drivers with information on safety and procedures to follow if they need to contact police.
