Calgary taxis must display sticker directing compliments, concerns to 311 app

The city is ordering taxi companies to put a bumper sticker on every cab so that Calgarians can give the city feedback on the service they are getting.

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The citys community and protective services committee heard from the city agency overseeing the taxi industry on Wednesday.

Officials said almost all customers contact taxi companies directly when they want to commend a driver or report a problem with their service, so that information doesn't get back to the city.

To rectify that, the taxi and advisory committee is requiring taxi companies to put a sticker on all their vehicles which reads: "Compliments? Concerns? Download the 311 app.

311 is the citys information line, which can also be accessed online through the app.

Marcia Andreychuk, a business analyst with the citys livery transport department, said its hard for the cityto take action about things it doesn't know about.

It might be a routine complaint that we then direct to the broker, but at least we are then aware of the nature of that complaint, and the nature of all the different complaints that brokers are receiving, she said.

So that we can review, take actions where actions may be appropriate and at the end of the day, it's about improving service for Calgarians.

The city is providing the stickers and it wants them on all cabs by Jan. 1. Cab drivers can face a fine of up to $1,000 if they do not comply.

The city committee was told that 60 of 126 newly licensed taxis are now on the street.The new taxis are required tobe in service on Friday and Saturday nights.

Calgarys taxi industry is also getting greener, the committee was told. Hybrid cars make up 21 per cent of taxis on city streets, which is up from four per cent in 2010.