North Bay Police is reminding residents and visitors to use only licensed vehicle-for-hire services when arranging transportation within the city.
The City of North Bay regulates vehicles-for-hire, including taxis, limousines, and rideshare services, through municipal by-laws. These regulations are in place to help protect passengers, drivers, and the community through established safety standards.
Licensed operators are required to meet municipal regulations designed to support public safety and accountability. These requirements include mandatory criminal record and vulnerable sector checks for drivers, regular vehicle inspections to ensure roadworthiness, appropriate commercial insurance coverage, and ongoing compliance with record-keeping and operational standards.
These safeguards help ensure that drivers are properly vetted, vehicles are safe and maintained, and trips are conducted in a manner that supports public safety.
Rider Safety Tips:
- Use only licensed taxis, limousines, or rideshare services.
- Confirm the vehicle and driver details before entering the vehicle.
- Share your trip details with a friend or family member when possible.
- Sit in the back seat when travelling alone.
- Trust your instincts and do not enter a vehicle if something does not seem right.
- If you feel unsafe or believe you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
Residents are encouraged to be aware of unlicensed vehicle-for-hire operations. Reporting suspected unlicensed services helps support a fair and regulated transportation system while promoting the safety of passengers and drivers who comply with municipal requirements.
Anyone who is aware of or suspects an unlicensed vehicle-for-hire operation is encouraged to report it to the NBPS at 705-497-5555, select option 5 to speak with an officer. To remain anonymous, tips can also be submitted through Near North Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at nearnorthcrimestoppers.com
North Bay Police has also launched a new multilingual online reporting system that allows residents to report select non-emergency incidents.
Benefits of the online reporting system include:
- 24/7 access from any device
- Reduced demand on emergency and non-emergency phone lines
- Improved collection of community safety information and crime trends
- Faster reporting for residents
- The ability to upload supporting photos and videos
The online platform provides an additional way to report incidents such as theft, property damage, lost property and other non-urgent concerns that do not require an immediate police response. The system launches with 12 incident categories, with additional categories expected to be added in the future.
Online reporting should only be used for non-emergency situations. Incidents that are in progress, involve an immediate threat to public safety or require urgent police attendance should be reported by calling 911.
The system was introduced through a soft launch on May 11, 2026, during which select residents and businesses tested the platform and provided feedback. During the testing period, 32 reports were submitted through the system, resulting in 11 criminal charges being laid and providing feedback that helped refine the system ahead of the community-wide launch.
“Online reporting is another step forward in modernizing the services we provide. Community safety is a shared responsibility, and this new tool gives residents another way to actively participate,” said Acting Deputy Chief Warner. “By making it easier to report, we can make sure concerns are documented, identify emerging trends and gather information that helps guide our response to issues affecting our neighbourhoods.”
Residents can complete a report in three steps:
- Select the incident type
- Complete and submit the online report
- Receive an email confirmation and copy of the report
Once submitted, reports are reviewed by an officer, typically within one week. Residents will be notified by email if additional information is required or when their report has been approved and completed.
The online reporting system is part of the NBPS’s ongoing efforts to modernize service delivery and improve accessibility for the community.
To access online reporting, visit https://www.services.tryrubicon.com/north-bay-police-service/online-reports
