Saint John plans stronger rules on taxis

Saint John council is reforming the rules governing the city's taxi industry which will force all cabs to have meters, newer vehicles and better trained drivers.

Theproposed rules were discussed at Saint John council on Monday night.

The rules must still be drafted but city councillors no longer want cabs on the road if they are older than seven years. It is estimated that 75 per cent of Saint John's 300 taxis have been on the road for more than seven years.

Passengers will also have fee meters in every cab and drivers will have to undergo more training about landmarks and geography. As well, the drivers willfacestrict screening before they can drive a taxi.

Saint John Mayor Ivan Court said healso wants tomake changes thatreachfurther into the future. He said he'd like to see a restrictionon thenumber of taxis allowed in the city.

"The number of taxis there should be a limit. Because what's happening is, you're not getting quality becausethere are so many people out there," he said.

A long-time taxi company manager agrees with the mayor's suggestion.

Paul Ram said there should be no more than 200 taxis, down from 300,in the city.

"They can make good living there. If they have that many cars. And they can provide good service to the customers too," he said.

Ram owns 14 cabs in Saint Johnand he said he has been asking for a rule forcingmeters to be in cabsfor40 years.

The city's solicitor will now draft the new taxi bylaw, which is expected to beintroduced in 2012.