Surrey City Council hopeful Mike Starchuk says he would lower taxi licensing costs and allow taxis to use bus lanes when no buses are present.
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Imagine Surrey candidate Mike Starchuk says he wants Surrey City Hall to cut taxi licensing costs and reduce paperwork, arguing that drivers have faced rising costs and longer days while waiting for fares.
In the platform statement, Starchuk said Surrey drivers purchase a licence, complete inspections, and pay a dispatch fee before picking up passengers, and he described drivers sitting in traffic near bus lanes they are not allowed to use.
Starchuk said he would support a bylaw change to allow taxis to use bus lanes “where it makes sense and when it makes sense,” adding that a bus lane with no bus in it is a “wasted lane.”
He also said he would work to lower licensing costs and “cut the red tape” so more drivers can operate and prices stay competitive for riders.
Starchuk linked his proposals to what he described as drivers’ ongoing requests at City Hall, and he said a bylaw change costs “almost nothing.”
The statement also includes a call to vote, saying that on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, voters should support Starchuk and the Imagine Surrey team.
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