Montreal taxis now obliged to accept electronic payments

Starting today, Montrealers will no longer have to ask taxi drivers if they accept credit or debit cards.

It is now mandatory for all taxis in the city to take electronic payments.

The City of Montreal made a change to the taxi regulations at the executive committee meeting in early August.

The new bylaw states that as of Oct. 15, "drivers must accept electronic payment and cannot refuse a client who asks to use that mode of payment."

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When the rule was amended, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre saidthat a 21st century metropolis such as Montreal deserved electronic payment options.

He also said the new rule would make the job safer for taxi drivers, since they wouldn't have to carry as much cash with them.