Taxi drivers knew changes were coming and many support getting GPS technology and surveillance cameras to make their jobs safer.
“In North America almost 60 to 70 per cent are using this system, even in Saskatoon they are using it for the last seven to eight years. I don’t know why Regina is so behind,” said Mike Sharma, who has been driving a Regina taxi for 16 years.
But what they did not expect were the changes in City Council’s final taxi report.
“I feel it’s a slap in the face what this city is doing to us,” said Joseph Kozma, a Co-op cab driver.
Those changes include going from recommending the changes to enforcement with a bylaw.
“We knew about the computers, we knew we eventually we would have to get cameras but they said they recommended it – they did not say we have to do it,” Kozma added.
Meetings and public consultations between officials and the cab industry have gone on for three years.
The City said they have heard the industry’s concerns but now it is time for action.
“There are always those concerns – that change is going to destroy everything. Sometimes we are afraid of change and the reality is when the change comes, people embrace it and they find they love it,” said Councilor Wade Murray.
Cab drivers will now have two to three years to make the changes, as opposed to the previously agreed upon five years.
“We lost those three years overnight, so that was a surprise,” Regina Cab manager Sandy Archibald said.
The number of taxis has not increased since 1966, even though the population has gone up by 70,000, but Archibald was also disappointed that Council wants to add 12 new taxi licenses.
She said they are not needed, and if granted, taxi drivers already behind the wheel will take a financial hit.
“That’s going to really affect the livelihood of drivers. They’re going to take a 10% paycut May 1st if those licenses go through,” said Archibald.
Adding cameras and GPS computers is not cheap.
Capitol Cabs estimates it will cost $400,000 over five years.
If the bylaw is approved, cab companies say they will have to increase cab fares to offset the cost.
The first reading of the bylaw goes to Council February 21st.
If all three readings pass, the recommendations will become law this spring.
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