More cabs not the answer: taxi service owner

Thunder Bay will consider changing taxi bylaws and service this summer after hiring a consultant and getting public input. It's welcome news to passengers who were frustrated by the wait for cabs, and the fares they paid over the holidays.

Nathan Adams said he waited almost an hour for a taxi at 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. And the fare — to take him from Mariday Park to Westfort — was what he considered a steep $50.

"Let’s put that in perspective," Adams said. "If I'm at the Air Canada Centre [in Toronto], and I have to get to Pearson Terminal 3, that's the same price."

Adams said there should be more taxis on the road, and the fares shouldn't be so high.

But Dennis LeBeau, general manager at Roach's Taxi, said bringing on more taxis to handle peak demand for fares doesn’t make sense.

He said it’s not feasible to put more cars on the road, because the demand isn't steady.

"And you know what? You conceivably could not put another 25 licensed vehicles on the road and survive, just by handling peak times," he said.