OTA had dialogue with the mayor’s office today to exchange views regarding recommendations contained in a December 2014 OTA correspondence regarding urban congestion solutions in the City of Toronto.
OTA is now asking the mayors’ office to revisit its implementation of a zero tolerance-towing blitz on commercial vehicles scheduled to take effect on Monday January 5 and begin working with all stakeholders on a comprehensive plan to deal with commercial vehicle operation and delivery in the downtown core.
OTA emphasized to the mayor’s office that a zero-tolerance towing policy on commercial vehicles should not be implemented until a thorough commercial vehicle delivery plan is constructed — one that involves the customers of commercial vehicle operators.
OTA has once again reminded the mayor’s office that commercial vehicle operators do not choose the time and place where to deliver goods. That, in fact, it’s the customers who make such decisions.
OTA has recommend to the City that OTA and other stakeholders immediately begin working on the viability of the proposed solutions outlined below:
- The development of a duel permit process for the owners of commercial vehicles and downtown buildings/receivers to control when and where goods and parcels are delivered to buildings.
- The review of evening noise by-laws to extend the availability of delivery time for commercial vehicles.
- The review of the fining system for vehicles and drivers engaged in downtown deliveries.
- The review of the impact on commercial vehicle safety and efficiency of the installation of bike lanes and lane width reduction.
For recent media coverage on this issue and reaction see Toronto Sun here.
For more information on this issue contact jonathan.blacham@184.107.41.74