An option to avoid being towed

I wish to point out an apparent disconnect between St. John’s City Council and the city operations department snowclearing schedule.

I have observed snow-clearing operations on two occasions since the new downtown parking ban took effect. Both times city crews began to remove snow from New Gower, Duckworth and Water streets shortly after 12:30 a.m. As an unintended side-effect, this interferes with the taxi industry by closing major streets (occasionally shutting down Adelaide Street) and increasing the fares charged to taxi passengers due to detours. This simply ignores the 3:30-6:30 a.m. parking prohibition recently enacted.

The victims of this moneygrab should know that there are taxi companies in town who offer a “double” service that will deliver an impaired driver and their vehicle to a selected destination for twice the metered fare. Unless the trip is more than about 60 kilometres, the cost is less than the city’s towing charge.

This may not be the most profitable option for drivers during peak hours but it is a service available to the public.

John Austin St. John’s