The Board uses trip data and other data sources to make objective, data-driven, and evidence-based decisions to support a healthy and sustainable passenger transportation industry. The Board is committed to transparency in its data analysis.

The Board has developed 10 indicators that provide insight into factors related to public need and sound economic conditions pertaining to the taxi and TNS sectors in B.C. Each indicator is primarily identified with a public need or sound economic conditions factor, as described in their respective policies in the Board’s Policy Manual.

It is important to understand that each indicator represents only one dimension of the passenger transportation market. To draw larger conclusions about the status of the industry, it will be necessary to consider several indicators in relation to each other.

The Board relies on the advanced economic expertise of its economists and data analysts to ensure quantitative analysis presents an accurate picture of the industry. 

• Learn how the Board makes objective evidence-based decisions.
• Understand more about quantitative analysis.

Sustainability factor (SEC)

Taxi fleet utilization rate

Primary Factor: Sustainability as described in the sound economic conditions policy.

Description: Taxi fleet utilization rate represents the proportion of approved taxi vehicles that are active in an area over a month.

Measurement: The taxi fleet utilization rate is determined by dividing the number of average active vehicles by the total number of approved taxi vehicles in a given area during the reporting period. The number of average active vehicles is determined by data reported to the Trip Database, while the total number of approved taxi vehicles is the maximum fleet size approved by the Board.

Interpretation: A relatively stable taxi fleet utilization rate over time can indicate long-term stability for the taxi sector. On the other hand, a significant decline in fleet utilization rate, other things being equal, may suggest unsustainable economic conditions as licensees choose to operate fewer vehicles in their fleet. 

Examples: The Board’s sound economic conditions policy lists examples of the sustainability factor. The relevant examples are set out below alongside their corresponding implications on taxi fleet utilization rate:

• The proposed service promotes long-term stability for the passenger transportation industry.
  • Significant changes in the fleet utilization rate can signal instability of the passenger transportation industry.
• The proposed service encourages resiliency in the passenger transportation industry.
  • A consistently close-to-full fleet utilization rate may indicate that the industry is at its supply capacity, and unable to meet further demand growth. A consistently low fleet utilization can indicate a lack of growth of the industry.
• The proposed service minimizes significant market disruption.
  • A significant change in the fleet utilization rate can signal market disruption.
• The proposed service protects the taxi sector from rapid disruption to ensure its long-term stability as an essential service.
  • Frequent spikes to close-to-full fleet utilization indicates the supply of the industry is unable to adapt to market disruptions.
• The proposed service promotes overall profitability and economic sustainability of the industry.
  • Close-to-full fleet utilization rates can indicate licensees are unable meet demand to maintain and grow their profit margin.
  • A consistent reduction in the fleet utilization rate can indicate deteriorating profit margins.