Taxi rate and regulation amendments a bad idea for city

By Lethbridge Herald on April 14, 2023.

Editor:

Obviously city council has not had to take a taxi ride in Lethbridge after approving amendments to the taxi rates and regulations.

What will be created in the industry is a monopoly and collaboration, not a competitive market. Council forgot years back the implementation of self-serve gas stations to save money, caps taken off insurance premiums and rent controls eliminated. All with the theory that the market would dictate the costs. And it did. Everything priced higher without controls.

 When you drive by a gas station and suddenly the gas price escalates, almost immediately the other stations respond with increased prices . This is called price gouging and corporate greed, not competition. And seeing a light lit on top of the cab indicates the cab is available for service. Like our transit system that displays route destinations and out-of-service buses. 

People take taxis from downtown to care homes on the south side and the cost is $20 one way. $40 for a return trip for people on a fixed income to visit loved ones. Imagine the cost to visit going daily or sporadically in a month. Glad I have a vehicle to drive. And you want to allow the market to dictate how taxis are run? Other cities still regulate taxi services. Not much discussion prior to your vote.

Stan Adamus

Lethbridge

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