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Cost of Living·LISTEN

The taxi industry is hitting a friction point, and it's not just Uber

Cabs and the drivers who move them are having a rough time navigating the pandemic, and COVID-19 might empty the tank once and for all. Hear from cabbies about what's next for their line of work.
CBC Radio ·
Ajaypal Singh, owner of Strathmore Taxi in southern Alberta, is grappling with how to keep his business alive in the face of plunging demand for what is still an essential service in many communities. (Tracy Fuller/CBC)
Cost of Living11:06The taxi industry is hitting a friction point, and it's not just Uber

Cabs and the drivers who move them are having a rough time navigating the pandemic, and COVID-19 might empty the tank once and for all. 

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Ride-sharing apps such as Uber or Lyft have already changed the industry irrevocably.

But unlike Uber drivers, cabbies are often deemed essential workers and need to keep driving through cities and towns — even if the cab is empty.

On top of that, new and changing COVID-19 requirements can add costs to a job that isn't bringing in as much cash as it used to.

Producer Tracy Fuller talks to cab drivers about what's next for their line of work.

Click "listen" at the top of the page to hear this segment, or download the Cost of Living podcast.

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