Taxi customers in Calgary have a new advocate group on their side.
Voters for Taxis wants to represent the public during an upcoming bylaw review process at which time the city will review rules governing taxi service in the city.
“Voters for Taxis is trying to help city council because otherwise there’s no public voice,” said Karen Cameron, an advisor for the grassroots group.
Cameron says it’s the taxi industry that has the time and resources to keep up with city hall, not the public.
Voters for Taxis organized their own public opinion survey to see how the public felt about taxi service in Calgary.
Cameron says people don’t trust the service. “It boils down to inconsistency.”
Her group wants to see the business model changed, noting the current system works best for the cab companies, not the customers or drivers.
Kurt Enders of Checker Cab said it’s difficult to get a cab at certain times of the day, but adding more cabs won’t solve that problem.
“You’ll never be able to meet the demand,” Enders said.
He added Calgary Transit could help take the pressure off the taxi industry in the busy downtown area.
The city’s Taxi Limousine Advisory Committee is holding a public meeting as part of their review this Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the downtown library.
