Coalition seeks to revitalize industry
A coalition of major taxi groups in Quebec has unveiled proposed changes to help modernize the industry in the province.
On Thursday, the group said it recognizes the need to move the industry forward as competition from services like Uber has had a negative effect on taxi drivers.
The coalition is between Taxelco, the Comité provincial de concertation et de développement de l’industrie du taxi (CPCDIT) and the Regroupement des propriétaires de taxi de Montréal (RPTM), which account for 90 per cent of taxis in Quebec.
They are calling for measures that will be fair for everyone in the industry, including Uber.
The coalition has proposed six main points to the Quebec government, including:
Improving the customer’s experience and the industry’s image;
Improving the working conditions of drivers;
Protecting the value and liquidity of permits;
Making taxation of the industry equal for everyone;
Ensuring fairness among all the players in the industry;
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“Given the current situation in the taxi industry, it is essential for us to react in order to revitalize it, in keeping with the principles of healthy competition and the application of rules that are fair for everyone,” Taxelco founder Alexandre Taillefer said in a statement. “Ultimately, we hope to ensure that drivers throughout the province have proper working conditions.”
One of the major proposals revolves around the ability to rent taxi permits to people who have taken the required training. That would allow permit owners to make up some of the decline in the value of permits in recent years.
Other recommendations include reduced training time for new drivers, the ability to modify the fees charged based on demand, upgrades to the taxi fleet, the increased use of technology and better regulations for the industry.
“This demonstrates the industry’s great concern for the safety and quality of the services provided its fellow citizens,” said Guy Chevrette, a spokesperson for the CPCDIT.
“The adoption of a unified code of conduct, dealing particularly with cleanliness and courtesy, is an additional guarantee for the customer.”
Kamal Sabbah, vice-president of the RPTM, said he was happy with the proposals, especially when it comes to the use of permits.
“I am pleased that the Regroupement has arrived at a consensus on maintaining a supply management system with the current permits.”
However, not everyone shares that enthusiasm.
In Quebec City, a spokesperson for the Regroupement des intermédiaires du taxi de Québec called the move a back door to deregulation.
“The government has given Uber a great deal. We have no more concessions to make,” Abdallah Homsy said.
He said he believes the project will not improve the image of the taxi industry, since by allowing everyone to rent a permit, anyone can do so without being a driver.
“Renting permits is unmanageable, it’s uncontrollable,” he said.