Montreal cabs to accept credit and debit cards

MONTREAL – As of mid-October, all of the taxis in the city will have to accept credit and debit cards.

In a press release on Wednesday, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said that the change will help improve the security of the drivers, since they won’t have as much cash on them.

READ MORE: Taxi drivers take matters into their own hands, egg Uber cars

He also said accepting electronic payments will offer customers a service worthy of a 21st century metropolis.

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“This is very good news for the taxi business,” said Dani Atallah, Vice-President of the Regroupement de Proprietaires de Taxis de Montreal.

“This puts us one step ahead of Uber and helps us with our fight against them.”

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In the past few years, cabbies have been facing some stiff competition from Uber, who only accept credit cards.

READ MORE: Montreal taxi drivers to adhere to dress code

“We have the technology for it,”said Atallah.

“We’ve been waiting for this to happen for a while.”

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As for what percentage of credit card sales will go to the city or who will be paying for the machines, Atallah said the details have not yet been figured out.