Voters for Taxis

Calgary's Standing Policy Committee to address Reports

2011-09-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

On September 20, Calgary's Standing Policy Committee will address 5 Reports regarding the taxi industry.

Those Reports can be obtained directly from the City's Council Agenda/Minutes page here (http://agendaminutes.calgary.ca/sirepub/meetresults.aspx) or on our "Breaking News" page.

Thse Reports were posted on the City's agenda/minutes page late Friday afternoon, September 16.

Consultant Reports and VFT Submissions

2011-08-18T07:41:00.000-07:00

VFT has posted its submissions to the consultant's Reports on our website. Check out www.votersfortaxis.ca for the latest steps towards improving Calgary's taxi service. More activity will be occurring and more reports will be presented in September 2011 as the taxi service challenge starts being addressed by City Council.

Calgary's taxi situation - Consultant Reports now available for download

2011-07-09T11:18:00.001-07:00

Two Reports from Hara and Associates, about Calgary's taxi issues and what to do to address them, are now available for download (in pdf format) from the Taxi and Limousine Advisory Committee (TLAC) website.

Here is the link to that website.

Notwithstanding that it took TLAC five and seven months (respectively, for Report Phases 2 and 1) to release them to the public, these Reports provide further perspectives into the state of the industry and the regulatory conditions under which it operates.

These Reports and their recommendations will provide important input ino the larger debate to take place starting September 2011, when the same consultant will report on Calgary's City Council request about the need for an industry overhaul, though his "scoping study".

Of particular relevance is the consultant's Phase 2 Report about Performance Reporting and Standards. Voters for Taxis has consistently maintained that performance measurement and management is a public policy requirement and a critical precondition for effective management of Calgary's civic assets, namely 1411 taxi permits, on behalf of its citizens and visitors.

It is an encouraging sign that the consultant recommends steps to achieve that public policy requirement. It remains for City Council to similarly recognize that requirement and to re-establish responsibility for this important file.

Voters for Taxis will continue to press for a balanced and consumer-based public dialogue to help inform our municipal decision makers.

2010-05-25T07:20:00.001-07:00

Voters for Taxis has just published the second article in its Public Education Series titled "Taxicab Performance in Calgary: Defining Consumer Expectations". Check it out at www.votersfortaxis.ca.

Public Education Series: Voters for Taxis Launch

2010-02-15T11:45:00.000-08:00

Voters for Taxis has launched its Public Education Series, starting with "What's The Right Number of Cabs?". The second article will be published on the website (www.votersfortaxis.ca) shortly.

Calgary taxi service survey results

2009-11-29T06:50:00.000-08:00

Want to know what Calgarians are saying about our taxi service? Check out your comments from our recent survey at http://www.votersfortaxis.ca/.

Monthly Advisory Committee meeting cancelled!

2009-07-15T14:13:00.000-07:00

TLAC (Taxi Limousine Advisory Committee) has confirmed that its monthly meeting has been cancelled for this Friday, July 17.

Voters for Taxis Satisfaction Survey, extended

2009-07-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

The Taxi Satisfaction Survey deadline has been extended to the end of July 2009. Check the website for details at www.votersfortaxis.ca

2009-07-06T13:50:00.001-07:00

PRESS RELEASE 2009 July 6 at 10:45 MDT

NEW CONSUMER GROUP PUSHES FOR CUSTOMER-CENTRED REVIEW OF CALGARY’S TAXI BYLAW FOR IMPROVED SERVICES, LAUNCHES WEBSITE AND SURVEY

Calgary City Council is doing a mandatory 2-year review of its Taxi Bylaw, and a new “voice of the consumer” group plans to make the needs of the travelling public the agenda this time.

Voters for Taxis has launched a website (www.votersfortaxis.ca) that includes an online survey and a wealth of information on options for improved taxi services. The survey asks questions about the quantity and quality of taxi services in Calgary (availability, on-hold time, customer service and accessibility).

Two years ago, Calgary City Council ushered in a new City Bylaw for taxis. But in the time since the new rules took effect, the adequacy of this Bylaw to meet customer needs has become questionable. For example, the Bylaw contains pages of rules about how licence holders can buy and sell licences in limited supply, but it has no language setting performance standards for cab companies. And that’s what customers need.

Sandy Jenkins represents Voters for Taxis and is encouraging Calgary businesses and citizens to get involved in taxi policy before it’s too late. “There has never been a way for taxi customers to participate in this kind of a review. The current system is based on consultation with the industry – and it shows. Voters for Taxis will provide a long overdue voice for the taxi customer seeking changes that improve taxi service in Calgary”.

Calgarians have until the last day of Stampede to complete this, the first in a series of surveys over the summer. A future survey will ask specifically about service standards for accessible taxis, and the experience of people with disabilities over the past two years. Voters for Taxis will use the results of these surveys to make recommendations to Council about how to fix the current taxi situation in Calgary.

Sandy Jenkins adds, “The more people that complete this survey, and get involved in the process, the easier it will be for Council to know what is needed. Anyone who has had a taxi issue in the last two years needs to speak up now.”

In two short months, Voters for Taxis has attracted over 100 members, and is growing. Voters for Taxis also has a Facebook group, blogs, and membership opportunities. Voters for Taxis’ goal is to organize consumers under one banner, to represent the interests of the travelling public on issues related to taxi services, inform the public of the choices to improve service, and be called upon as a stakeholder whenever issues regarding taxi services are being considered.

Press Release

2009-07-02T14:35:00.001-07:00

Press release is being drafted and will be published shortly regarding a new citizen initative in Calgary.