The president of a union representing Toronto taxi drivers says cabbies who refuse to take passengers who are travelling short distances should face steeper penalties.
Sajid Mughal, president of the iTaxiworkers Association, said he has made the recommendation to Tracey Cook, the executive director of Municipal Licensing and Standards for the City of Toronto.
The call to crack down on cabbies comes after taxi drivers reportedly turned away 26-year-old shooting victim Ariela Navarro-Fenoy and her friends outside Muzik nightclub after Drake's OVO Fest after-party because their fare was not high enough.
A friend of Navarro-Fenoy, who was with the 26-year-old when she was killed, told CP24 that shortly after gunshots rang out inside Muzik nightclub on the morning of Aug. 4, they tried to flee the area in a cab but taxi drivers refused to take them because their fare was only estimated to be about $8.
Minutes later, Navarro-Fenoy was gunned down near the Dufferin Gate when a second shooting erupted outside the club.
“I felt sick to my stomach. We are out there to give service," Mughal said.
“We are allowed to refuse under certain circumstances... but just because the fare is a short ride, it is not acceptable."
The executive director of Municipal Licensing and Standards previously told CP24 that refusing a fare based on distance is not in compliance with the city's bylaw.
Tracey Cook said her office has received close to 300 complaints over the last 18 months and has issued 82 charges against drivers and cab owners for refusing fares.
“If anybody has this happen to them, the important information to have is the date, time and the taxicab number,” Cook said.
“Every complaint we receive is investigated, every driver we identify is cautioned."
Chief Mark Saunders is expected to provide an update on deadly nightclub shooting at 2 p.m. at police headquarters.
