More taxis needed, says citizen lobby group

As New Year's Eve approaches there are new calls to expand Calgary's taxicab fleet, with some entrepreneurs offering unlicensed taxi services to take people to and from year-end parties for a fee.

The Calgary-based group Voters for Taxis said the increase in so-called gypsy cabs on city streets is evidence that there simply aren't enough licensed cabs. Calgary has about 1,400 licensed taxis.

Voters for Taxis spokesman Sandy Jenkins said the city needs to license even more taxis to improve the service and reduce wait times.

"You know it's a year-round problem," said Jenkins. "And it's a public safety issue in that people who are drinking end up driving because they can't get a taxi."

Jenkins said one solution would be to allow temporary licences for extra cabs during peak periods like Christmas and New Year's Eve.

But Roger Richard, the head of Associated Cabs, said he monitored his company's service last year and there were no problems with extended wait times.

There are, he said, enough taxis on Calgary's streets to meet demand.

The public had a chance last fall to offer suggestions to improve Calgary's often-criticized taxi service when the city's taxi and limousine advisory committee held a public forum.

At that time the Voters for Taxis organization said the city desperately needs more cabs because wait times frequently are just too long. Taxicab officials said earnings in the cab industry were down 40 per cent earlier this year due to the recession and putting more cabs on the streets would have an impact on every cab owner.

Richard recently warned there is a risk involved in using gypsy cabs, since the drivers are unlicensed and the vehicles not subject to safety checks.

"The public has to … be very careful to make sure they take fully licensed taxi cabs in the city for their own security," he said.