With the new bike lanes and scores of no stopping signs peppering city streets, pulling over can be costly -- and taxi drivers say they're at the top of the hit list because of a controversial ticketing blitz
Vancouver Taxi says its drivers have racked up nearly $12,000 in no stopping fines in just one month.
Dispatcher David Justice says the bylaw crackdown is making it more difficult for its drivers.
"A lot of times the guys are stopping to pick somebody up stopping to drop somebody off," he said.
One taxi driver said the fines prevent him from picking up fares and dropping them off in areas where parking isn't allowed, like city bus stops.
"Then we say we can't pick up at the bus stop. If we pick it up they can give a $50 ticket -- $5 trip, $50 ticket."
Many of the tickets shown to CTV are for times after midnight. Some drivers are accumulating multiple fines in one shift.
Another frustration for drivers is the fact the tickets aren't handed out in person, but are automatically delivered.
"I don't know even know I got a ticket," owner and operator Sahajpal Cheema said. "The ticket gets here in the mail. They take the numbers and just mail it."
David Justice believes his industry is being unfairly targeted.
"[I] think there is a campaign on or something," he said.
While parking enforcement staff told CTV News they can't comment on the situation, the city admits there has been increased enforcement.
City of Vancouver staff attributes the hike to a shift in staffing that sees more bylaw enforcement officers working at night.
City councillor Geoff Meggs said there may be some overzealous enforcement officers but says some of the tickets are valid.
Vancouver Taxi plans to dispute the tickets.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Lisa Rossington
