Up to 300 more taxis could be on the roads in time for the holidays

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – We have fresh hope dozens more cabs will be added to Metro Vancouver fleets before the holiday rush in December. The Passenger Transportation Board could approve up to 300 in a few weeks.

Board chair Catharine Read says a new streamlined application is available.

“I sincerely believe there will be many more taxis on the road in time for the festive season. The process actually closes October 18th. We anticipate approvals will be out there by the end of October, beginning of November.”

Read says that gives operators plenty of time to handle the holiday rush.

“I don’t think that’s too optimistic. That’s why we’re designing a streamlined application. The obstacles to activating those vehicles and getting them on the road are potential driver shortages and getting access to wheelchair accessible taxis.”

Read admits customers are frustrated, especially those needing wheelchair accessible taxis — including an elderly woman in Coquitlam who waited hours in the rain on Canada Day.

“Things like that just shouldn’t happen.”

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In July, a report aimed at modernizing the industry opened the door for drivers to offer discounts during quiet periods. But that won’t happen before September, 2019, when applications for ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft will be accepted.

“[Approving more taxis] keeps the playing field level. It enables taxi cabs to offer some of the same services that ride-hailing companies do,” says Read.

She adds starting in September of next year, two cabs will be allowed to operate under one plate.

“We’re giving licensees the opportunity to have a separate day shift and a night shift vehicle because when these trip refusals come, it’s often because of shift change. They need to get the taxi car to a central place where they can shift the day driver to the night drive.”

She doesn’t think an increase in the number of taxis on the road will be a problem for existing drivers worried about increased competition. “Demand increases because service gets better.”

Barring a shortage of drivers and wheelchair accessible cabs, Read says it should be easy to get dozens more taxis on the road by early November.

Asked if she thinks we have enough cabs in B.C., Read says “I would revert back to the consultation. The consultation says that we need more taxis and that was nearly universal.”