EDMONTON - With New Year's Eve just around the corner, there are a few things party-goers should be aware of to ensure they get home safely and don't spend too much time waiting out in the cold for a cab.
There are 1,320 licensed taxis operating in Edmonton - that's one hundred more than last year. But still, hailing a cab on a weekend or during the busy holiday season can sometimes be a challenge.
Garry Dziwenka, the City's Chief Livery Officer, says waits of around an hour are to be expected this time of year. Planning ahead, however, may help with that.
"If you know you're going to be leaving the party at 11 o'clock, call ahead at 8 o'clock and pre-book it. Or at least give some lead time," Dziwenka explains.
Multiple-winner of the Best Taxi Driver Customer Service Award, Bill Dhanoa, suggests instead to just try and flag a taxi because of the high volume of calls coming in.
But you need to be careful about the cab you end up getting into, as there are a number of so-called "rogue" cabs on city streets.
"We do know there is a problem out there. Cabs come from other municipalities. There's also some that put a top light on their car and run with it," says Dziwenka.
He explains that you're safer taking a cab licensed by the city, since drivers have to get an annual criminal check, and get their vehicles inspected regularly.
If you take an unlicensed cab, there are some other potential risks.
"Some of the things I've heard about," Dziwenka says, "(is) the switching of the money. You give them $20, and they show you a $5, they palm the $20, show you a $5; negotiating for the rate; also when you get to your place, and say you have to run in to get the money - they ask for your cell phone or some collateral and they take off with it."
"If you forget something in the cab you'll never see it again whereas the broker, a licensed broker, there's rules they have to follow when there's stuff left in a cab."
These are a few of the things riders should look out for:
- cab's name, unit number, phone number outside
- "Edmonton Taxi" front licence plate
- drivers license prominently displayed in the cab
- meter inside
- meter rate sticker displayed on the back passenger window
- City of Edmonton sticker on the front passenger window
The City says it's looking at options to cut down on waiting times on weekends and holidays, but is holding off until it can evaluate the effect of the additional cabs put on the road in the past year.
The licensed taxi brokers in Edmonton are as follows:
- Greater Edmonton Taxi Service (comprised of Yellow, Barrel, Checker and Prestige taxis)
- CO-OP
- Capital
- Airport Taxi Service
- 24-7
With files from Ross Neitz, Global News
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2013.