Three taxi companies have formed a coordinated association in an attempt to improve what they feel are intolerable working conditions.
"We are really struggling right now," said Amrik S. Hamil, who coordinates the newly formed Association of Pacific Taxi Owners.
Black Top & Checker Cabs, Vancouver Taxi and MacLure's Cabs have joined together to ease communication with the city and provincial bodies, Hamil told ctvbc.ca.
Yellow Cab's John Palis said his company – one of the largest in Vancouver -- has declined membership to the group, but would not comment further.
The association's objectives include a bid to obtain permission to use bus lanes and to extend the duration of chauffer permits from one to three years.
Business has dropped 30 per cent since the opening of the Canada Line, and cab drivers not licensed in Vancouver are poaching customers by waiting outside bars at night, Hamil said.
Hamil also cited that the decrease in Alaska cruise ship passengers from 900,000 to 600,000 this year has negatively affected profits.
