TTC plans to reassess tenders for paratransit

Taxi operators who failed to win a piece of a $105 million, five-year contract to provide paratransit services are accusing the TTC of favouring big cab operators.

One is also alleging a conflict of interest by councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, who sits on the transit commission.

The commission agreed Thursday to re-examine the bidding process by Aug. 8, before approving the contract with Royal Taxi, Scarborough City Cab and Associated Toronto Taxi-Cab Co-operative.

That's when the terms of the bid expire, which may give unsuccessful bidders a second chance, said a lobbyist for Toronto Para Transit.

Lobbyist John Nunziata has claimed the bidding process was tainted, in part because the father of De Baeremaeker's assistant, Gurjeet Dhillon, owns one of the successful taxi companies.

"We've been able to raise enough doubt in the minds of the commissioners to defer," said Nunziata. "The only appropriate decision is to abort the whole process and to start again."

On Thursday, De Baeremaeker declared a conflict of interest and left the meeting during the discussion of the taxi bids.

"I don't have a conflict of interest," De Baeremaeker told reporters. "What the integrity commissioner said to me is, `Out of an abundance of caution, to make sure there is not even a perception of undue influence you should declare a conflict of interest and not participate in the debate.'"

The TTC has amended requirements for the contract several times since the request for proposals process began two years ago, to try to improve the quality of service its contracted taxi suppliers provide.

Under the new contract, paratransit drivers must undergo in-depth background searches, in addition to the current criminal record checks. Vehicles will also have to meet new standards, and have cameras and GPS devices installed.

Seven cases of sexual assault by TTC paratransit drivers have been reported since January 2006. Five involved taxi operators.

Under the new contract, 54 per cent of paratransit would be contracted out. It's now about 50/50.