Montreal cabs are getting a makeover.
Three-hundred and sixty-five new taxis in the city now have a two-toned finish with a “bonjour” logo on the sides. Some of the newly decorated taxis were in service at the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport on Wednesday.
The new look is part of a project aimed at improving the image of the cabs while promoting the City of Montreal.
“The taxis are our ambassadors in the city,” said Aref Salem, who is the city’s executive committee member responsible for transportation and chair of the Montreal Taxi Bureau.
“They are the first contact with the tourists so we would like to have a brand new signature.”
The first cabs bearing the new logo were unveiled last spring at Montreal City Hall. The hope is that eventually all cabbies will have their cars done.
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Salem said taxi drivers aren’t obliged to get he new logos but some think it’s a good idea.
Stanley Bastien thinks that over the years the taxi industry has developed a bad reputation and something like this will help to get past that reputation.
“At the very least, people can now easily spot a taxi.”
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But the new paint job and logo can cost up to $1,500 and some drivers are upset they have to foot the bill themselves.
“The city hasn’t paid a penny so far to subsidize this change,” driver Hassan Kattoua said. “They have to pay a part of this huge expense.”
Bastien agrees.
“For sure… because part of the profits will benefit the city, so basically we should both share the cost.”
Salem acknowledges the city isn’t subsidizing the cost, but says it is trying to see if some car dealers would be willing offer the drivers some kind of rebate on the purchase of a car, which could be used to offset the cost of the new paint job.
Bastien says he’s in talks with the city to see what else can be worked out.
“We have to find a way to finance it.”