Proposal to lower Calgary limousine rates denied

The Taxi and Limousine Advisory Committee in Calgary has turned down a proposal to lower the fares for limousines during peak hours.

A few hundred Calgary taxi drivers gathered Friday outside of a northeast hotel where the committee was meeting, to protest against the proposal..

Roger Richard, the president of Associated Cabs, had presented a proposal to allow him to operate his fleet of 300 limousines on a zone-based fare system during peak times.

It would also have allowed limousines to pick up customers on the street.

"He's cutting our throat," said Rupinder Gill, head of the Calgary Cab Drivers Association

Currently limousines must charge a minimum of $78.50 per hour and must be booked ahead of time.

"If the taxis were keeping up that would be fine, but on Friday and Saturday nights that's not the case," said Cam Naghshineh of Associated Cabs. 

Taxi drivers said the proposal would have put limousines in direct competition with taxis and would threaten their livelihood by taking away revenue during peak service times.

The Taxi and Limousine Advisory Committee voted against taking more time to look at the proposal, which means the idea will not be moving ahead.