By Vanessa Ybarra

Kamloops taxi drivers call on province to ease weekend cab shortage

Mar 18, 2017 | 10:18 AM

KAMLOOPS — It’s an issue almost everyone has experienced. Waiting for a cab.

According to Yellow Cabs Owner Abdul Rasheed, weekend and holiday taxi demand has increased at least 15% throughout the city in the last few years, resulting in longer wait times for cab hailers.

Rasheed says he’s submitted numerous requests to add more cabs to his 42-car fleet, with each one rejected by the Passenger Transportation Board. 

“If governments intention was to purely address the supply and demand, they should’ve allowed the industry to increase 10% as was being requested by the industry,” said Rasheed.

Minister of Transportation Todd Stone says with the PTB an independent operation, the ministry has minimal control over taxi licensing.

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Earlier this month, the province announced proposed changes to B.C’s taxi industry, including changing the cab-request system,  in an effort to improve operations and keep B.C’s cab industry competitive.

“It would not longer be managed by the Passenger Transportation Board or Government, “said Stone. “We would leave those decisions about adding additional cabs to the taxi companies, they’re the folks who know best how they’re doing in their business and what the market need it.”

If re-elected, the Liberals changes will take effect in December.