Last year, a CTV News investigation found Vancouver has the lowest ratio of cabs per person compared to other major cities -- exposing a significant shortage in B.C.'s largest city.
The city will be sitting down with the taxi industry next week to discuss service levels, but some feel adding more cabs could do more harm than good.
Amrik Mahil, the president of Black Top Cabs, says demand is already down and drivers are struggling to make ends meet due to the economic downturn.
"It's not looking good; even if go around town right now you see taxis sitting all over the place you see taxis sitting waiting for a fare," says Mahil.
Drivers who showed up at city hall last October said the same thing. At the time, the city was considering adding 122 more licenses. The decision was postponed.
"There are a lot of cab drivers that are sitting idle because there isn't enough business right now and it would have a real impact on their livelihoods to introduce another 122 cabs," says Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.
Related: The Taxi Test: Has service improved?
But Vancouver's port says cruise ship passengers could use more taxis, and a shortage will hurt the tourism industry.
"There are times early in the season when wait times are over two hours for people and that is unacceptable," says Greg Wirtz.
Some tourists agree.
"We're not from here, and were looking for taxis, the entire time. It's horrible," one man visiting from Toronto told CTV.
Vancouver will definitely need more cabs next year when it hosts the 2010 games. B.C.'s transportation minister says there is already a plan in the works.
"Similar to what we had during the Expo 86 where we relaxed some the regulations we allowed some of the suburban companies to come in and do business," says Kevin Falcon.
But for now, other than a two week fix in 2010, it's status quo for Vancouver's taxi service.
The province operates a taxi hotline to address complaints about bad service. The number is 1-888-564-9963.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber
