Vancouver city council approves 175 new taxi licences

Vancouver will see an influx of taxis thanks to city council lifting a moratorium on 175 new licences.

It’s been a year-and-a-half since city councillors voted not to issue any new licences in Vancouver. But on April 7, the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) released a decision approving four Vancouver taxi companies to add 175 new licences; which was then presented and passed unanimously by Vancouver city council on Tuesday.

The cabs added to the Vancouver fleet will also include 26 wheelchair accessible taxis.

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According to the City, there is an “urgent need for additional taxi capacity in the City of Vancouver that could be met with these licences.”

Council will be directing staff to create a bylaw to lift the current moratorium and provide the licensing of the 175 taxis mandated by the PTB decision.