Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre unveiled a new look for the city’s taxis at a press conference Sunday afternoon.
The idea is to give the 4,500 taxis travelling the city streets a more uniform appearance, making them instantly recognizable, akin to New York City’s iconic yellow cabs.
The city is proposing is a white car, with the hood and roof painted either red or blue, with a “bonjour” logo on the side.
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“If the clients are not showing up it’s not going to work,” Denis Coderre, Montreal mayor, said. “The branding is more than a signature, it’s a culture, it’s a new way.”
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While some might welcome the fresh new look, not everyone is happy.
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Several taxi drivers voiced their opposition, fearing it will cost them hundreds of dollars to modify their vehicles.
“I don’t know how they’re going to convince owners to invest between $1,000 to $2,000 to put the film on their cars,” George Boussios, Champlain Taxi president, said. “It’s a good image for the city, but it’s putting the drivers and the owners in some extra debt.”
Others argued that Uber drivers should also have to conform to the new regulations.
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—With files from The Canadian Press
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