tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66157966321935718862024-03-20T08:12:35.605-07:00Toronto Taxi PricesGoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-47926058389625502832010-06-06T04:45:00.001-07:002010-06-06T04:45:40.105-07:00King of the Toronto Cabs<p> King of the cabs This man dominates Toronto's <b>taxi</b> industry. He is Mitch Grossman.<br></p> <p> IT HAS BEEN said that no one gets rich in the cab business. But that was before Mitch Grossman's family came along. </p> <p> In his tailored suits and year-round tan, Grossman has the look of a Bay Street executive or the owner of a successful software company. </p> <p> But he is neither. Grossman is the king of the Toronto <b>taxi</b> industry, heir to an empire that lifted his family from poverty to privilege in a single generation. </p> <p> At 40, Grossman lives a life no cabby could dream of. He drives a black BMW 740 IL, list price $93,000. He lives in a newly bought North York luxury home. His last house, where he lived for years as Mayor Mel Lastman's next-door neighbour, was purchased without a mortgage. </p> <p> Grossman has never driven a cab. And even though there are at least 62 taxis in his companies' names, he admits he doesn't actually own any of them - at least in the usual sense of the word. </p> <p> Yet he has made millions from the cab business. </p> <p> How? </p> <p> Grossman's fortune is based on cab licences, the postcard-size pieces of metal attached to the trunk of every Toronto <b>taxi</b>. Although they cost pennies to make, cab licences are worth $90,000 apiece today. </p> <p> They fetch that kind of price because they are money-makers. They are supposed to be a licence to own and operate a <b>taxi</b>. Instead, most have been turned into cash cows, yielding their holders $800 to $1,200 a month. </p> <p> And no one has more plates than Grossman. </p> <p> According to municipal and corporate records obtained by The Star, Grossman and other members of his family, including cousins, hold 94 cab plates. At today's prices, those plates would sell for $8.46 million and yield gross annual rents of more than $1.1 million. </p> <p> Until recently, the family's collection was far larger - as high as 145 plates, according to municipal transfer records examined by The Star. Those records show that Grossman, his mother and sister have sold 51 plates since 1993. </p> <p> For years, the list of plate holders has been confidential. And as The Star learned after getting the list, unravelling who owns what can be complex. </p> <p> Grossman, for example, doesn't have a single plate listed in his name, yet municipal records as of May show he held at least 70 through five corporations: Robinhood <b>Taxi</b> Ltd., Lo-Jo Holdings Ltd., Mitch and Associates <b>Taxi</b> Ltd., Whitedoor Cab Ltd., and 373031 Ontario Ltd. (Grossman says the records are outdated and he owns only 62 plates.) </p> <p> Twenty-four more plates are held by his mother, sister and a cousin, again through named and numbered corporations. </p> <p> Grossman's power in the cab industry is magnified by his role as the city's single biggest "designated agent," representing at least 172 plates owned by other people. </p> <p> Agents are middlemen who manage plates, allowing holders to collect rents without any involvement with the cabs that carry their names, or the drivers who operate them. </p> <p> Grossman plays a much more active role in the business than most. As well as being Toronto's biggest plate holder, he is also the operator of a number of companies, including Royal <b>Taxi</b>, one of the largest dispatch services in the city. </p> <p> Grossman's operation is on Sherbourne St., south of Queen. Outside his office is a constantly changing line of used cars available for sale. Many are used police cruisers, the vehicle that has become almost standard issue in the Toronto <b>taxi</b> fleet. </p> <p> Used cars are just one component of Grossman's operation. He also owns a service station, a towing company (Hallam Garage), a lease operation (Tudor Leasing) and a finance company (Symposium Financial and Management Services). </p> <p> Grossman's cab plates ensure a steady stream of customers. Without a plate, a cabby can't operate a car - and plates are the only essential ingredient in limited supply. </p> <p> You can get a car, a radio or a meter anywhere. But if you need a plate, the options are few. </p> <p> As the man who controls close to 10 per cent of the city's entire plate supply, Grossman wields considerable power. </p> <p> As cabby Surinder Kumar puts it: "If you want to work, you have to play his game. You have no choice." </p> <p> For Kumar, the plate game has been a losing proposition. He became a cabby after he lost his factory job when the company folded. Now, he finds himself trapped, forced to pay a huge percentage of his fares to lease a piece of tin riveted to the trunk of his car. </p> <p> "The plate system is a rip-off," says Kumar. "You can't win . . . A cab driver doesn't have a life. I see my wife in the morning and that's it. I leave in the dark, I come home in the dark." </p> <p> Grossman spoke recently to The Star. At his office, which is decorated with family photos, he described himself as an above-board businessman whose greatest pleasure is watching his three young sons play sports. </p> <p> "We want our side of the story told," he says. "We take our industry seriously . . . My job is to make my drivers money. I hope my peers also recognize this as their job function." </p> <p> Although he could probably live off his plates without working, Grossman says he goes to the office each day out of pride and because his father trained him to work. </p> <p> "My father was a proud man," he says. "Nobody gave him anything. He taught me his values." </p> <p> It's clear there is a lot of money to be made in Grossman's various operations. According to cabbies interviewed by The Star, getting one of Grossman's plates usually requires joining his dispatch service, at $400 a month. </p> <p> Then there is financing. Cabby Mohammed Hoque showed The Star a sales agreement for a used <b>taxi</b> bought from one of Grossman's companies. The contract included interest charges that worked out to 28.3 per cent annually. </p> <p> UNDER THE TABLE </p> <p> Many drivers voiced complaints about their dealings with agents who handle leased plates. Many said they had to make under-the-table cash payments to get a plate. </p> <p> Grossman refuses to comment on specifics of his dealings with individual drivers, but confirms the existence of under-the-table payments. </p> <p> "I know it happens in the business, but I don't do it," he says. "It's wrong." </p> <p> Asked if his company charges interest rates of 20 per cent and more, Grossman says he "couldn't believe it would be that high. </p> <p> "It's hard for me to say whether it's true or false without knowing . . . the business etiquette involved." </p> <p> Grossman says offering cars and financing to drivers is a service: "The average cab driver can't walk into a bank and get a loan for a car. That's why we have cars for sale . . . We're helping people get started." Although many believe rents paid to plate holders have damaged the Toronto cab fleet by discouraging investment, Grossman disagrees. </p> <p> While he concedes the fleet is in poor condition, he says plate leasing isn't the cause. "Plate leasing is a mirage," he says. "It's got nothing to do with anything." </p> <p> Grossman says the real problem is bad law-making and weak enforcement that allows old cars and unlicensed taxis to stay on the road. </p> <p> "There are a lot of rogue drivers out there," he says. </p> <p> Grossman says the way to get old cars off the road is to institute age restrictions for cabs. </p> <p> Not everyone sees it the same way. Numerous studies have identified plate leasing as a fundamental economic problem. Many connected with the industry say the rents paid to plate holders make it impossible to pay for better cars. </p> <p> Carol Ruddell-Foster, who heads the Toronto Licensing Commission, says it is "hypocritical" for plate holders to say the cab fleet could be fixed simply by instituting age restrictions for cabs. </p> <p> "It's easy for them to to say, because they won't be the ones paying for it," she says. "The money they take out means nobody can afford better cars." </p> <p> In the Toronto cab business, a plate is the equivalent of the Holy Grail. Drivers spend decades waiting for one. A plate can mean the difference between a comfortable life and servitude. </p> <p> The licensing commission issues plates for $5,681. But there is a catch: It is almost impossible to get one that way. </p> <p> The supply of available plates has been declining for years. Many are passed along by plate holders to their heirs - as in the case of Grossman and members of his family. </p> <p> Few return their plates to the city. Instead, they are sold on the open market to the highest bidder. Increasingly, this has put plates in the hands of wealthy investors and multiple plate holders instead of working drivers, since few could afford $90,000 to buy one. </p> <p> Nor are there any newly minted plates available. </p> <p> Plate holders, including both working drivers and plate tycoons, have successfully lobbied against the issuing of any new ones, since that would reduce the value of their plates. </p> <p> No new plates have been approved for issue since 1993. The wait for one is now estimated to be at least 20 years. Some drivers have died before their names came to the top of the list. </p> <p> DRIVERS TRAPPED </p> <p> As a result of this restricted supply, the rents charged by plate holders have soared, even though cab industry revenues have fallen, owing to the advent of fax machines and courier services. </p> <p> Today, the average cost of renting a plate is $1,000 a month -an amount that can represent 30 to 50 per cent of a driver's revenue. </p> <p> Many drivers told The Star they find themselves trapped in a cycle of declining revenues and increasing costs, forced to pay a large percentage of their earnings to private interests that have gained control of municipal licences. </p> <p> "This plate is government property," says Kumar. "Why does one man get to have so many plates, while another man has to work his whole life for nothing?" </p> <p> At the root of the mess is a heavily abused bit of legislation known as Bylaw 20-85. </p> <p> The bylaw is supposed to ensure a person who gets a Toronto cab plate actually owns a cab and takes care of it. But, as The Star learned, countless Toronto "taxicab owners" are owners in name alone. </p> <p> Here is how it works with many drivers: </p> <p> To lease a plate, a cabby has to sign over the ownership of his car to the plate holder. </p> <p> Transferring the ownership means the name on the car and the plate match, allowing the plate holders to claim it is a complete <b>taxi</b>, not just a plate, that they are offering for rent. </p> <p> For drivers, this means they don't have title to the cars they pay for and maintain. </p> <p> It also means many are forced to pay dramatically more for their insurance. </p> <p> Since they don't legally own their cars, they have to pay "fleet" rates, which are far higher than the rate for owner-driven cars. </p> <p> Cabby Mohammed Hoque, for example, had an insurance policy that cost him $825 a month (or $9,900 a year), yet carried a $10,000 deductible - and didn't cover him when his car was stolen. </p> <p> In the Toronto cab industry, there is almost no one who hasn't heard of the Grossman family. For decades, their name has been synonymous with the business - and with cab plates. </p> <p> Grossman's plate collection came from his father, Sam, who got into the cab business in the '40s and began collecting cab licences a short time later. </p> <p> Grossman's father and his brother-in-law, Irving Oilgisser, assembled what is by all accounts the biggest collection of plates in Toronto history. </p> <p> Although they weren't particularly valuable when Grossman and Oilgisser began collecting them, the plates later became far more valuable as the practice of leasing grew, allowing holders to use them as investments. </p> <p> Mitch Grossman says his father "had a vision" of the potential in cab plates. </p> <p> "My dad was a very intelligent man," he says. "He was always having visions. </p> <p> "My father worked hard for everything he got. Nobody ever gave him anything for nothing." </p> <p> HEIR TO FORTUNE </p> <p> According to municipal records obtained by The Star, Grossman and Oilgisser held 145 plates: </p> <p> Ninety-four were listed in the names of Grossman and Oilgisser family members or corporations they controlled as of May. Transfer records show that family members and corporations they controlled had sold 51 others. </p> <p> Sam Rampersad, a plate owner and agent, puts it this way: "The Kennedys were in booze, the Grossmans were in plates. That's the way it is." </p> <p> As heir to his father's fortune, Mitch Grossman was considered the cab industry's crown prince in waiting. </p> <p> His mid-'80s wedding was the industry's power event of the decade, with no expense spared. </p> <p> The wedding and the preceding stag clearly illustrated the extent of the family's influence. </p> <p> On hand were hundreds of cabbies, plate owners, suppliers, mechanics - anyone who had reason to curry favour. </p> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-78818254729191665472010-06-02T12:27:00.001-07:002010-06-02T12:27:33.177-07:00Toronto Pearson International Airport - GTAA<h1>Taxis & Limousines</h1> <div id="page_content"><span class="ELEMENT-en-travellers-airport_information-ground_transportatio-taxis__limousines-index smartsite-element smartsite-element-editmode-both"><span class="EDITABLE-content smartsite-editable"><p>The GTAA licences 360 taxis and 276 limousines to serve Toronto Pearson, ensuring that vehicles meet specific safety requirements, and that passengers are guaranteed fair and consistent rates. Rates are predetermined based on the time and distance to your destination within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Fares for taxis outside of the GTA are listed on the Out-of-Town Tariff map, and any area that is not listed on this tariff will be $1.45/km for taxis, or $1.55/km for limousines. For current rates, click on one of the zone maps below.</p> <ul><li><a title="Taxi Tariffs – East of the Airport" href="http://gtaa.com/local/files/en/Travellers/Tariffs/TaxiTariffs-East.pdf" target="_blank">Taxi Tariffs – East of the Airport</a></li><li><a title="Taxi Tariffs – West of the Airport" href="http://gtaa.com/local/files/en/Travellers/Tariffs/TaxiTariffs-West.pdf" target="_blank">Taxi Tariffs – West of the Airport</a></li> <li><a title="Taxi Tariffs – Out-of-Town" href="http://gtaa.com/local/files/en/Travellers/Tariffs/Taxi-OutofTownTariffs.pdf" target="_blank">Taxi Tariffs – Out-of-Town</a></li></ul> <ul><li><a title="Limo Tariffs – East of the Airport" href="http://gtaa.com/local/files/en/Travellers/Tariffs/LimoTariffs-East.pdf" target="_blank">Limo Tariffs – East of the Airport</a></li><li><a title="Limo Tariffs – West of the Airport" href="http://gtaa.com/local/files/en/Travellers/Tariffs/LimoTariffs-West.pdf" target="_blank">Limo Tariffs – West of the Airport</a></li> <li><a title="Limo Tariffs – Out-of-Town" href="http://gtaa.com/local/files/en/Travellers/Tariffs/Limo-OutofTownTariffs.pdf" target="_blank">Limo Tariffs – Out-of-Town</a></li></ul> <p>Effective August 1, 2009 the average price per litre of regular gasoline over a successive 90-day period is between $0.91 - $1.19 representing a Fuel Surcharge of $1.00 per trip. For more information about tariffs, <a title="click here" href="http://www.gtaa.com/local/files/en/Travellers/Tariffs/TaxiLimoTariffFuelSurcharge2008.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p> <p><strong>Pre-Booking</strong><br>Pre-booking is not required for passengers leaving the airport. Taxis and limos are always available at the Arrivals Level of each terminal. For pre-arranged service, <a title="Pre-arranged service" href="http://gtaa.com/en/travellers/airport_information/ground_transportatio/prearranged_taxis_li/">click here</a>.</p> <p><strong>Special Assistance</strong><br>The GTAA offers a convenient waiting area for passengers requiring <a title="special assistance" href="http://gtaa.com/en/travellers/airport_information/special_assistance/">special assistance</a>. </p> <p><b>Excess Luggage Protocol</b><br>Taxis and limousines are prohibited from carrying luggage in the cabin of the vehicle. If luggage exceeds the 15 cubic feet trunk capacity for taxis, or the 20 cubic feet capacity for limousines, passengers have the following options:</p> <ul><li>Utilize two vehicles – a two vehicle fare will be charged.</li><li>See the curbside dispatcher to arrange for a van – a $12 surcharge will apply.</li><li>Request that the driver utilize a bungee cord – a $12 surcharge will apply.</li></ul> <p><strong>Contact Information for Taxi and Limousine Services</strong><br>Taxis and limousines that pick up passengers in municipal jurisdictions must be licensed in that jurisdiction. Contact the taxi or limousine service provider of your choice to confirm that they are licensed to provide pick-up service in your area. <br><br><strong>Inquiries or Concerns?</strong><br>Please address any inquiries or concerns to the GTAA Commercial Vehicle Operations at (416) 776-9867.</p></span></span></div> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-31477405723637720792010-06-02T12:26:00.003-07:002010-06-02T12:26:38.719-07:00Taxi Fares Going Up In Toronto, As City Council Approves Hike<div class="td-EndPage"> <div class="td-EndPageBody"> <p>The rising cost of gas may be prompting you to leave your car at home in the morning, but for those who drive for a living that's not an option.</p><p>Cab drivers across the city have been feeling the pain at the pumps more than most, often having to absorb the higher prices themselves. But they're about to feel some relief, after Toronto city council voted to increase their fares.</p><p>The initial pick-up fee will bump from $3 to $4.</p><p>The meter rate is also going up. It used to be $0.25 each 170 metres, now it's going to be a quarter for every 155 metres travelled.</p><p>What that means for passengers is that a five kilometre trip rises in price from about $10 to $11.75.</p><p>Those asked on city streets how it'd affect their decision to take a taxi were for the most part supportive of cab drivers' woes.</p><p>"They have to make a living," Marc Rougeot noted. "You can't keep assuming the cost without being able to live properly."</p><p>Jen Garden adds, "I think that (will) probably have an influence on how much I'll be tipping. I tend to recognize the gas cost money and I try to treat the drivers nicely. (But) if they increase the fare, I'll probably not tip quite as much."</p><p>Cab drivers, many of whom own their own vehicles and must pay to fuel and maintain them, say this fare bump is essential.</p><p>"It will help us because the gas prices are going very high day by day," taxi driver Ehsan Danish says. "It's very necessary."</p><p>The increases are expected to take effect in mid-July. Meanwhile, airport limousine fares are reportedly also going up. As of August 24, Pearson International Airport passengers will pay more to get to the transit hub. The higher fees will be based on fuel costs averaged over 90-day periods. Depending on the amount, the cost of a ride will rise or fall. Additionally, drivers can charge $2 extra based on current fuel prices and up to $5 extra if gas spikes to the $1.80-$2 per litre range.</p><p>At the start of the year it cost cabbies about $1 a litre for regular fuel - now that same grade of gas is going for upwards of $1.30 a litre.</p><p>2008/06/25 | CityNews.ca Staff </p> </div> </div> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-8072943897556836062010-06-02T12:26:00.001-07:002010-06-02T12:26:14.962-07:00Royal Taxi Fares - Toronto<font style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" size="2" face="Arial"><b> ABOUT ROYAL TAXI - Page 2 of 2</b></font> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <table id="table6" border="0" width="500"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 1px 4px;" align="center" width="250"> <span style=""> <font size="2" face="Arial"><b>H</b></font><b><font size="2" face="Arial">ead Office</font></b><p><font size="2" face="Arial"> <b>Address:</b> <br>620 Wilson Avenue<br>Suite 100<br>Toronto, ON <br>M3K 1Z3.</font></p></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 1px 4px;" align="center" width="250"> <span style=""> <font size="2" face="Arial"><b>York Region Office</b></font></span><p> <b><font size="2" face="Arial">Address:</font></b><span style=""><font size="2" face="Arial"><br>9078 Leslie St<br>Unit 1<br>Richmond Hill, Ontario<br>L4B 3I8</font></span></p></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </span> <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="center"> <table id="table5" border="0" width="90%"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#adb0aa"><span style=""> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Hours:</b> </font></p></span></td> <td bgcolor="#dbbf80" width="466"> <span style=""><font size="2" face="Arial">24 hours a day, 365 days per year</font></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#adb0aa"><span style=""> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Employees: </b>.</font></p></span></td> <td bgcolor="#dbbf80" width="466"> <span style=""><font size="2" face="Arial">Over 60 internal staff members</font></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#adb0aa"><span style=""> <font face="Arial"><b><font size="2">Fleet:</font></b></font></span></td> <td bgcolor="#dbbf80" width="466"> <span style=""><font size="2" face="Arial">Over 500 taxis, 40 wheelchair accessible vans, 15 school vehicles, 10 limousines and 1 limousine van. For more information on our fleet, </font><a target="_blank" href="http://www.royaltaxi.ca/royal_fleet.htm"> <font size="2" face="Arial">click here.</font></a></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#adb0aa"><span style=""> <font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Response Time:</b> </font></span></td> <td bgcolor="#dbbf80" width="466"> <span style=""><font size="2" face="Arial">Average of 10 minutes or less for a regular sedan taxi and 15 minutes or less for a wheelchair accessible vehicle, weather/traffic conditions permitting.</font></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#adb0aa"><span style=""> <font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Service Area:</b></font></span></td> <td bgcolor="#dbbf80" width="466"> <span style=""><font size="2" face="Arial">Greater Toronto Area (GTA.), York Region including Markham and Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket and the Surrounding Areas .</font></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#adb0aa"><span style=""> <font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Out of Area:</b></font></span></td> <td bgcolor="#dbbf80" width="466"> <span style=""><font size="2" face="Arial">Service available upon request.</font></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#adb0aa"><span style=""> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Price Model:<br> </b></font></p> </span></td> <td bgcolor="#dbbf80" width="466"> <span style=""> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">The Toronto Licensing Commission outlines the tariffs for taxi fares as follows:</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">(1) The ride is free if the taxi meter is not on<br>(2) Price is based on distance for 1-4 passengers.<br> For the first .235 kilometers or part thereof $ 2.75<br> For each additional .190 kilometers or part thereof $ 0.25<br> For each additional passenger in access of four (4) $ 0.25<br> For each 31 seconds of waiting time while under engagement $ 0.25<br>(3) Minimum for parcel delivery $10.00<br>(4) G.S.T. is included in each fare</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">The rates are subject to change without notice as legislated by the Municipal Licensing and Standards Department for the City of Toronto. For more information on Fares, </font><font size="2"> <a href="http://www.royaltaxi.ca/royal_fares.htm"> <font face="Arial">click here</font></a></font><font size="2" face="Arial">.</font></p> </span></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <span style=""> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Insurance:<br> </b>All vehicles are individually insured by their owners and carry insurance for public liability in the amount of two million dollars. In addition, Royal Taxi maintains various insurance policies for a variety of perils and risks including public liability insurance for five (5) million.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Lost and Found:<br> </b>We maintain computer files to process any lost and found claims our customers may have. We are quite successful in retrieving lost articles including valuable documents and packages.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Customer Complaints and/or Inquires<br> </b>The management team immediately handles any complaint received within 24 hours. All complaints are fully investigated and recorded on our computer database. Computer records are maintained for all complaints and include details regarding the nature of the complaint, the individuals involved and the disciplinary action taken. Disciplinary meetings are held with the staff member and/or driver involved to determine whether or not the individual involved requires additional training, discipline and/or dismissal. Following each disciplinary meeting, we contact the individual who filed the complaint to advise of the action taken and the changes to our processes to ensure that there is not a reoccurrence.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Technology:<br> </b>We are constantly analyzing, developing and implementing technology that will enable us to continue meeting our customer service initiatives. We are currently using Bell Canada's Nortel PBX Meridian Option 11 with ACD software and TAPI server applications in conjunction with Odessey a customized dispatch software package. In addition, we use five radio frequencies to<img src="http://www.royaltaxi.ca/images/car_right_small02.jpg" align="right" border="0" height="103" width="195"> distribute and dispatch the orders received in our call center. Although it is beyond our current scope to describe our computerized system in great detail, we would like to outline the essential benefits which include an uninterrupted quality of performance, an efficient operation, increased productivity, detailed on-line stats and a peaceful working environment. We would be pleased to give you a tour of our facility and to explain the benefits of our technology in more detail.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">We are currently in the implementation process of a state of the art GPS driven dispatch technology with full computer tracking of all of our vehicles. This technology is one of a kind in the city of Toronto and will crown Royal Taxi with companies around the world. Full implementation is expected before years end at which time clients will be able to:</font></p> <ul><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">Access Royal Dispatch by the Internet</font> </p></li><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">Get their invoices online</font> </p></li><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">Provide a total environment.</font> </p></li></ul> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Invoicing<br> </b>We offer an invoicing system to suit every company's individual needs. Our accounting department promptly and <img src="http://www.royaltaxi.ca/images/limosmall.jpg" align="right" border="0" height="82" width="167">accurately records all your company's travel for each month. The instance there is a question regarding a billing charge we will immediately resolve the matter in an expedient and efficient manner. Customized and/or departmentalized billing is also available upon request. We experience very few problems in Statement Reconciliation despite our very large volume of taxi chits/coupons. Our margin of error is less than 0.03% (i.e. 1 in every 3000 taxi chits/coupons). We attribute our success to our well-trained staff members, our checking processes, our strict procedures and our overcharge prevention programs.</font></p><p align="left"> <font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Employee Training<br> </b>At Royal Taxi, we are very sensitive to drivers' continuous training. </font></p><p align="left"> <font size="2" face="Arial">Initial Training: In addition to the standard taxi driver's training provided by Toronto Licensing, Royal Taxi provides monthly in-house training classes for all of its drivers. Our Training courses are focused on:</font></p><ul><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">Customer Service</font> </p></li><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"> Sensitivity</font> </p></li><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">Special needs</font> </p></li><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"> Corporate Needs</font> </p></li><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">Safety</font> </p></li><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"> Emergency procedures</font> </p></li></ul> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Our drivers are by far the best trained in the city. </b></font></p><p align="left"> <font size="2" face="Arial">Refresher courses are offered for all drivers once a year, and retraining courses are provided as necessary for those drivers who have been ordered to attend retraining classes by management following customer complaints or misconduct.</font></p><p align="left"> <font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Vehicle Maintenance <br> </b>Royal Taxi a leader in fleet maintenance and vehicle inspection has gained a lot of support from its clientele for the mandatory vehicle inspection program. Our computer system selects, at random, ten vehicles per day for a complete visual and mechanical inspection.</font></p><ul><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">The selected vehicles are obliged to come to our head office where a member of our management team conducts a 27-point inspection.</font> </p></li><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">Any vehicle failing the inspection must undergo repairs immediately. After the repairs are done the vehicle is re-inspected by our management team before clearance is granted.</font> </p></li><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">Our computerized system keeps a history of the vehicles condition, inspection failures and repairs and generates a profile for that particular vehicle.</font> </p></li><li> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">In addition to our random inspections, Royal Taxi has a team of road inspectors who are on the road daily. Their job is to report to management any vehicle and or driver concerns.</font> </p></li></ul> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">We are proud of our Fleet.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b> Independent Contractors:<br> </b>Royal Taxi Inc., operates as a call centre receiving and processing service calls 24-hours per day, 7 days a week. As such, Royal taxi does not own or operate any vehicles. Vehicles are owned and operated by independent contractors who are members of Royal's Call Centre.<br> Independent Contractors join Royal Taxi's Call Centre facilities, because Royal operates the most advanced call centre in the city.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Arial">The pride of vehicle ownership and the small business status of our independent contractors, makes them more responsible towards service and the maintenance of their vehicle.</font></p></span></blockquote> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-79877010680523991112010-06-02T12:10:00.003-07:002010-06-02T12:10:52.868-07:00Toronto taxi fares: know how much it'll cost before you jump in..<p>I just came across a pretty groovy website that mashes up google maps with a simple calculator to give you an estimate of how much taxicab rides will cost! It is applicable to a few cities and includes toronto! Nice. </p> <p>So if you're kinda into the host of the party but would also like to sleep in your own bed, you can make the decision soundly on how much cash is in your wallet! (or something like that ;) )</p> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-13486839271641121712010-06-02T12:10:00.001-07:002010-06-02T12:10:21.497-07:00Toronto Water Taxi<h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading">Toronto water taxi</h1> <h3 id="siteSub">From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</h3> <table class="metadata plainlinks ambox ambox-style" style=""><tbody><tr><td class="mbox-image"><br></td> <td class="mbox-text" style=""><br></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><b>Toronto water taxis</b> operate in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada" title="Canada">Canadian</a> city of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto" title="Toronto">Toronto</a> as an alternate form of transportation to and from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Islands" title="Toronto Islands">Toronto Islands</a>.</p> <table id="toc" class="toc"> <tbody><tr> <td> <div id="toctitle"> <h2>Contents</h2> <span class="toctoggle">[<a href="javascript:toggleToc()" class="internal" id="togglelink">hide</a>]</span></div> <ul><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_water_taxi#Operations_and_Restrictions"><span class="tocnumber">1</span> <span class="toctext">Operations and Restrictions</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_water_taxi#Operators"><span class="tocnumber">2</span> <span class="toctext">Operators</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-3"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_water_taxi#Vesseels"><span class="tocnumber">3</span> <span class="toctext">Vesseels</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_water_taxi#See_also"><span class="tocnumber">4</span> <span class="toctext">See also</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-5"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_water_taxi#References"><span class="tocnumber">5</span> <span class="toctext">References</span></a></li></ul> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <h2><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Toronto_water_taxi&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Operations and Restrictions">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Operations_and_Restrictions">Operations and Restrictions</span></h2> <p>Unlike the city run ferry service, water taxis are privately run and cost more to cover the same distance. The taxis offer services to those who are stranded on the Islands when ferry service is disrupted or ended or to patrons whom have missed boarding their cruise ships at various docks along the mainland. Inner taxis normally offer services within the inner harbour only.<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_water_taxi#cite_note-0"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></a></sup></p> <p>Like the ferries, the taxis do not operate during the winter months as the inner harbour is frozen and no ships can navigate in the waterway.</p> <h2><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Toronto_water_taxi&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Operators">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Operators">Operators</span></h2> <p>Water taxis are not licensed like land based taxis, rather they are regulated by boating regulations and required operator to be a licensed motor boat operator and have required life jackets for all occupants.</p> <h2><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Toronto_water_taxi&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Vesseels">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Vesseels">Vesseels</span></h2> <p>Taxi sizes vary from small boats carrying a few passengers to larger vessels carrying 10 or more passengers.</p> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-5475510168917853392010-06-02T12:08:00.001-07:002010-06-02T12:08:59.440-07:00Toronto TaxiCrown Taxiby freddie18<br><br>Taking a cab in Toronto is as easy as 1-2-3. There are a host of cab companies in Toronto, but all charge the same base rate of about $4 and charge $0.25 for each additional 0.17 kilometre or $0.40 $0.50 a minute. The easiest cab number to remember is 416-Taxicab, which will connect you to all taxi and airport limousine companies.<br> <br>Toronto taxi cab fare from Pearson airport to downtown is usually about $50. Standard flat rates to and from the airport are also available. In the downtown area, Toronto taxis can be waved down on the street easily. Some of the taxis in Toronto are: Beck Taxi, City Taxi, Co-op Taxi, Crown Taxi, Diamond Taxi, and Royal Taxi.<br> <br>Theme: Car/Motor Home<br>Phone: 416-TAXICAB Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-14813263102386764772010-05-29T06:12:00.003-07:002010-05-29T06:12:52.332-07:00Toronto Taxicab Companies<div id="title"><h1><span class="fn"> Toronto Taxicab Companies</span></h1><h2> Recommendations and Phone Numbers for Cabs in Toronto</h2><p id="byline">By <a href="http://toronto.about.com/bio/Marilyn-Campbell-32504.htm" rel="author">Marilyn Campbell</a>, About.com Guide</p></div> <div class="nav"><h4>See More About:</h4><ul><li><a href="http://toronto.about.com/lr/toronto_taxis/250495/1/" rel="nofollow"> toronto taxis</a></li><li><a href="http://toronto.about.com/lr/toronto_transportation/250495/2/" rel="nofollow"> toronto transportation</a></li> <li><a href="http://toronto.about.com/lr/toronto_phone_numbers/250495/3/" rel="nofollow"> toronto phone numbers</a></li></ul></div> <div id="intro">Need a taxi in Toronto? Here are some recommended cab companies, plus the phone numbers of many others. <p> <b>Reminder About Special Circumstances</b> <br>If you would like to pay by debit, are transporting an animal, need an accessible vehicle or have any other special needs, you should tell the dispatcher as soon as you phone. While most of these companies can accommodate these situations, it may effect which driver can pick you up. </p></div><div class="lsItm"><h3>Recommended Cab Companies in Toronto</h3></div><div><div id="gB3" class="gB"><h5><a href="javascript:zpu(512,uy+'/z/ad/wasl.htm',450,425,'wao',100,100)">Sponsored Links</a></h5> <p onmouseover="return zhl(1,0)" onmouseout="zhl(0)"><a href="http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=Bt41-ZBIBTI2UJ4OR-Ab_zY2TBeLy7IwBuITW2RHAjbcBkPQdEAEYASCopfcBKAk4AFCizsOoA2CZ_p6GuCGyARF0b3JvbnRvLmFib3V0LmNvbcgBAdoBRWh0dHA6Ly90b3JvbnRvLmFib3V0LmNvbS9vZC9nZXR0aW5nYXJvdW5kdG93bi90cC90YXhpY2FiY29tcGFuaWVzLmh0bakCk-bJFPdIuD6oAwG4AwHoA80B6AOGBugDlAL1AwAEAAQ&num=1&sig=AGiWqtz3x3AIdWskbK-rGzlx8doveTmpCw&client=ca-primedia-premium_js&adurl=http://www.taxiadvertising.com" title="dynamic effective campaigns from the UK's leading agency" target="_blank"><span class="t">Taxi Advertising</span><span class="d">dynamic effective campaigns from the UK's leading agency</span><span class="u">www.taxiadvertising.com</span></a></p> <p onmouseover="return zhl(1,1)" onmouseout="zhl(0)"><a href="http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BGSOcZBIBTI2UJ4OR-Ab_zY2TBZm_7dgBkbef8hLAjbcBoPc2EAIYAiCopfcBKAk4AFCu7qiWBmCZ_p6GuCGyARF0b3JvbnRvLmFib3V0LmNvbcgBAdoBRWh0dHA6Ly90b3JvbnRvLmFib3V0LmNvbS9vZC9nZXR0aW5nYXJvdW5kdG93bi90cC90YXhpY2FiY29tcGFuaWVzLmh0bYACAakCsTrgqI3yrz7IAuGO3RKoAwG4AwHoA80B6AOGBugDlAL1AwAEAAQ&num=2&sig=AGiWqtzu0dZO6FCGEEGHpoQC_p14mv-BMw&client=ca-primedia-premium_js&adurl=http://www.fairlimo.com" title="Best Rate & Luxury Limo Services Call :416-820-5520 or 1866-517-7009" target="_blank"><span class="t">Toronto Airport Limo&Taxi</span><span class="d">Best Rate & Luxury Limo Services Call :416-820-5520 or 1866-517-7009</span><span class="u">www.fairlimo.com</span></a></p> <p onmouseover="return zhl(1,2)" onmouseout="zhl(0)"><a href="http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BxKj7ZBIBTI2UJ4OR-Ab_zY2TBcWMtuMB9eK__BPAjbcB4IkcEAMYAyCopfcBKAk4AFCcmpjW______8BYJn-noa4IbIBEXRvcm9udG8uYWJvdXQuY29tyAEB2gFFaHR0cDovL3Rvcm9udG8uYWJvdXQuY29tL29kL2dldHRpbmdhcm91bmR0b3duL3RwL3RheGljYWJjb21wYW5pZXMuaHRtgAIBqAMBuAMB6APNAegDhgboA5QC9QMABAAE&num=3&sig=AGiWqtxPT_dddpvT3FQSYgIcamU9OYvLfA&client=ca-primedia-premium_js&adurl=http://www.rdutaxitoprank.com" title="rdu taxi toprank Call: 919-638-0049, 919-345-1809" target="_blank"><span class="t">raleigh taxi</span><span class="d">rdu taxi toprank Call: 919-638-0049, 919-345-1809</span><span class="u">www.rdutaxitoprank.com</span></a></p> </div> </div><div class="lsItm"><h3>Beck Taxi</h3><div class="imgw"><q><a href="http://z.about.com/d/toronto/1/0/u/-/-/-/becktaxiabove_120x120.jpg" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/toronto/1/6/u/-/-/-/becktaxiabove_120x120.jpg" alt="A Beck Taxi Cab"></a></q><cite>Marilyn Campbell</cite></div> <div class="hasimg"><b>416-751-5555</b> <br>Beck Taxi's friendly and polite drivers are quick to arrive and know how to get you where you're going. The green and orange cab colors also make them easy to spot in traffic, so Beck Taxis are easy to hail. The Beck Taxi website details the company's commitment to customer service, and the results show. <br><a href="http://www.becktaxi.com/" target="_blank">www.becktaxi.com</a></div></div><div class="lsItm"><h3>Royal Taxi</h3><b>416-777-9222</b> <br>The dark blue cabs of Royal Taxi are always a welcome sight. Clean, punctual and knowledgeable, Royal also operates a limousine service and has numerous accessible vehicles available. <br><a href="http://www.royaltaxi.ca/" target="_blank">www.royaltaxi.ca</a></div><div class="lsItm"><h3><a href="http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-torontoca&tid=10">Make your own recommendation in the Toronto Forum</a></h3></div><div class="lsItm"><h3>More Toronto Cab Companies</h3></div><div class="lsItm"><h3>City Taxi</h3><b>416-740-2222</b> <br><a href="http://www.citytaxitoronto.com/" target="_blank">www.citytaxitoronto.com</a></div> <div class="lsItm"><h3>Co-op Cabs</h3><div class="imgw"><q><a href="http://z.about.com/d/toronto/1/0/-/0/-/-/coop_cab_120x.jpg" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/toronto/1/6/-/0/-/-/coop_cab_120x.jpg" alt="A Co-op red and yellow cab"></a></q><cite>Marilyn Campbell</cite></div><div class="hasimg"><b>416-504-2667</b> <br><a href="http://www.co-opcabs.com/" target="_blank">www.co-opcabs.com</a></div></div><div class="lsItm"><h3> Crown Taxi</h3><b>416-750-7878</b> <br><a href="http://www.crowntaxi.com/" target="_blank">www.crowntaxi.com</a></div><div class="lsItm"><h3>Diamond Taxicab</h3><div class="imgw"><q><a href="http://z.about.com/d/toronto/1/0/c/0/-/-/diamond_cab_120.jpg" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/toronto/1/6/c/0/-/-/diamond_cab_120.jpg" alt=""></a></q><cite>Marilyn Campbell</cite></div> <div class="hasimg"><b>416-366-6868</b> <br><a href="http://www.diamondtaxi.ca/" target="_blank">www.diamondtaxi.ca</a></div></div><div class="lsItm"><h3>Kingsboro Taxi</h3><b>416-232-2222</b> <br><a href="http://www.kingsborotaxi.com/" target="_blank">www.kingsborotaxi.com</a></div> <h3>Maple Leaf Taxi</h3><div class="imgw"><q><a href="http://z.about.com/d/toronto/1/0/b/0/-/-/maple_leaf_taxi_120.jpg" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/toronto/1/6/b/0/-/-/maple_leaf_taxi_120.jpg" alt=""></a></q><cite>Marilyn Campbell</cite></div> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-71207475682964578452010-05-29T06:12:00.001-07:002010-05-29T06:12:09.673-07:00Beck Taxi Rates<font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It is important to know that Beck Taxi is on an even playing field with our competitors as the City of Toronto sets the current metered rate. <i> <b>It is our service that sets us apart from the rest of the pack.</b></i> By choosing Beck Taxi you will receive a premium service with no extra charge.!</font><p> <b><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> Current Regulated Rates by the City of Toronto <font color="#808080">(as of July 2008)</font></font></b></p><p> <font color="#808080"> <b><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">By Distance: One to Four Passengers<br> For first .155 km, or part thereof ....................................................................... $4.00<br> For each additional .155 or part thereof ....................................................................... 25 cents<br> For each thirty-one(31) seconds of waiting while under engagement ............................... 25 cents</font></b><br> </font></p> <p><b> <font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Airport Rate Calculator</font></b></p> <p> <font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Call 416.751.5555 or Toll Free at 1.877.883.BECK (2325) to get an instant, no-hassle quote and/or flat rate from your pick-up location to Toronto Pearson International Airport and Toronto Island Airport. </font></p> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-65570103869937780562010-05-29T06:11:00.001-07:002010-05-29T06:11:38.032-07:00Toronto Taxis FAQ<h1 style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; color: maroon;">FAQ<br> Frequently-Asked Questions</span><span style=""></span></h1> <h2><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> </span><span style=""></span></h2> <h2><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">How can I get additional information?</span><span style=""></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Our service, "416-TAXICAB", will simply put you <i>in touch</i> easily by phone with an appropriate Toronto taxi service, by calling 416-TAXICAB.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">For other questions about Toronto taxi rides that are not answered below, it is best to contact a specific Toronto taxi company;<span class="GramE"> you</span> can do this by either calling our phone number and choosing a taxi cab company, or visiting one of their websites (see below). <br> <br> For taxi rates, contact one of the taxi companies.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">What is the cost of a taxi ride to or from the Toronto Airport (Pearson)?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><img id="_x0000_i1030" src="http://www.416-taxicab.com/index_files/image010.jpg" alt="coins2" border="0" height="75" width="102"></span><span style=""></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Toronto taxi cab fare from Pearson airport to downtown is usually about $50. Standard flat rates to and from the airport are available;<span class="GramE"> see</span> airport <a href="http://gtaa.com/local/files/en/Travellers/Tariffs/TaxiTariffs-East.pdf">rate map</a>.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">What is the cost of other Toronto taxicab rides? </span><span style=""></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Toronto taxi rides are usually charged by the km and by the minute, according to a regulated taxi rate: <span class="SpellE">Approx</span>: $4.00 initial charge + $1.60 per KM + $0.50 per minute (rates subject to change). Call specific Toronto taxi companies for quotes.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">How easily are Toronto taxis available?</span><span style=""></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Toronto taxi cabs are readily available, including at the Toronto airport (Pearson airport) and hotels, and advanced booking is usually not required. In the downtown area, Toronto taxis can be waved down on the street easily.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Are child seats available in Toronto taxis?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><img id="_x0000_i1029" src="http://www.416-taxicab.com/index_files/image011.jpg" alt="baby toy2" border="0" height="90" width="102"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">For child car seats, please contact specific taxi companies to see if they offer the necessary equipment (e.g. child seats, anchors, shoulder straps, as appropriate for the type of seat required). You might be able to use your own child seat, if the taxi can safely accommodate it. You can contact specific Toronto taxi companies via the 416-TAXICAB phone number or via the websites listed below.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr style="height: 77.4pt;"> <td style="width: 365.35pt; padding: 0cm; height: 77.4pt;" valign="bottom" width="487"> <h2><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I've lost an item in a taxi;<span class="GramE"> how</span> can I recover it?</span><span style=""></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Post on the <a href="http://members6.boardhost.com/taxi/">bulletin board</a> for lost and found items.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span></p> </td> <td style="width: 178.55pt; padding: 0cm; height: 77.4pt;" valign="top" width="238"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><b style=""><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><img id="_x0000_i1028" src="http://www.416-taxicab.com/index_files/image012.jpg" alt="wallet2l" border="0" height="96" width="173"></span></b></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">If you have lost an item in a Toronto taxi and can't remember the cab company, we recommend contacting each of the major taxi companies (you can do this via 416-TAXICAB).<br> It helps if you can recall the colour of the taxi, as it's easier to identify the taxi company;<span class="GramE"> however</span>, may Toronto taxi cabs are independent. Some common taxi colours are: Green/orange - Beck Taxi; Dark Blue – Royal Taxi; Silver – Crown Taxi; Light Blue – Maple Taxi or <span class="SpellE">Kingsboro</span> Taxi; Red – City Taxi; Yellow – Yellow Cab; Black/orange – Diamond Taxi.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Toronto taxi drivers and companies will often turn lost items over to the police. To check if they have your item, call 416-808-3750 (Property and Evidence Unit – Toronto Police).</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Items lost at or on the way to Toronto Pearson Airport might be turned in at the airport's Lost & Found offices. The number for Terminal 1 and 2 Lost & Found is 416-776-7749 or 416-776-7750. The number for Terminal 3 Lost & Found is 416-776-7751.</span></p> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-90343821918695787692010-05-29T06:10:00.003-07:002010-05-29T06:10:53.361-07:00Kingsboro Taxis - serving west Toronto for 25 years<b><font size="3" face="Arial"><font size="3" face="Arial">Toronto Taxi Cab Service</font></font></b><br><br> Kingsboro Taxi is your neighbourhood taxi company. If you need a taxi cab in Weston or Etobicoke, whether it's for a trip to the airport or a ride around the corner, contact Kingsboro Taxi's 24 hour dispatch at 416-232-2222.<br> <br><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.yelp.ca/biz/kingsboro-taxi-ltd-etobicoke-2" target="_blank">A customer review</a>: <br><br> <i>"If I had my way, I'd never call any cab company that wasn't Kingsboro Taxi. If you see one of these rarities (usually concentrated in the west end, though you can always call one ahead of time anywhere in the city), flag it and hop in ... Always a pleasure!"</i> <br><br> Kat F., Toronto <br> <br><br> <center><b><font size="3">Kingsboro Taxis - serving west Toronto for 25 years.</font></b></center> <br><br> For professional and courteous taxi cab service in the west end of Toronto,<br> including Etobicoke, Weston and to the airport,<br> call Kingsboro Taxis at 416-232-2222 today! Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-77598671630568058932010-05-29T06:10:00.001-07:002010-05-29T06:10:03.268-07:00Toronto Taxicab <font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <strong>New HST Requirements</strong><br> The new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) will be coming into effect on July 1st. Taxicab owners will be required to have the meters in all taxicabs re-calibrated to reflect the new tax. You will be notified of the location and date for the meter adjustments in the near future.</font><p> <font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">For taxicab drivers, you will be requried to register for and remit HST the same way you do for GST. For more information regarding HST remittance, contact the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-2221.<br> </font></p><hr> <font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>Limousine Owner Refresher Training Course</strong> <br> The ML&S Training Centre welcomed its first class of limousine owners in January, 2010. The <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/taxitraining/limousine.htm">Limousine Owner Refresher Training Course</a> is a two-day program covering topics such as Customer Service, Human Rights, Limousine Maintenance and Standards and Municipal Code. </font><p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">This training course has been mandated to ensure that existing limousine owners retain the highest level of knowledge regarding laws, regulations and issues facing this industry. We look forward to working with all owners in the limousine industry during this initiative! </font></p><hr> <font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>Refresher III Training Course is Coming to an End</strong><br> The three-day Taxicab Driver Refresher Training Program will be complete by the end of 2010! Stay tuned for information regarding our brand new Refresher IV Training Program scheduled for 2011.<br> </font><hr> <font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>By-law Ammendments</strong><br> There have been some recent by-law ammendments and other legal changes that will affect the way our taxicab drivers conduct their day-to-day business. <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/taxitraining/news.htm#1">Find out more!</a><br> </font><hr> <font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>Limousine Driver Training Course</strong> <br> The ML&S Training Centre welcomed its first class of limousine owners in January, 2009 . The <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/taxitraining/limousine.htm">Limousine Driver Training Course</a> is a four-day program covering topics such as City of Toronto Geography, Tourism, Customer Service and Municipal Code. </font><p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">This training course has been mandated to ensure the highest level of service continues to be provided to limousine clients in the City of Toronto. We look forward to continued relationships with all participants in the limousine industry! </font></p><hr> <center><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><img src="http://www.toronto.ca/taxitraining/images/psqflogo.jpg" alt="PSQF Logo" border="0" height="143" width="143"></font></center><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br> <strong>Training Centre Wins Provincial Award!</strong> <br> The Public Sector Quality Fair (PSQF) has awarded the City of Toronto, Municipal Licensing and Standards Training Centre with their highest honour, the prestigious Level III Award. </font><p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">The honour was awarded to the Training Centre for the Taxi Driver's Refresher Training Course III. The PSQF Level III Award is given to an organization who has demonstrated servce quality excellence within Ontario at the Municipal, Provincial or Federal level. </font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Congratulations once again to all team members of the Training Centre!<br> </font></p><hr> <center> <font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><img src="http://www.toronto.ca/taxitraining/images/cstd_logo.jpg" alt="Canadian Training Award logo" border="0" height="114" width="143"></font> </font></center><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br> <strong>Training Centre Wins Prestigious Canadian Training Award</strong> <br> The Canadian Society for Training and Development(CSTD) has awarded the City of Toronto, Municipal Licensing and Standards Training Centre with the Society's prestigious first ever Gold "WOW" Award for training excellence. </font><p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">The honour was awarded to the Training Centre for the Taxi Driver's Refresher Training Course III. The "WOW" Awards are given to an organization who has designed "a creative, innovative course that demonstrates collaboration, teamwork, cooperation and that adds value to the institution while containing or reducing costs." </font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Refresher III is a council mandated course for all City of Toronto licensed taxicab drivers. Toronto's 10,000 drivers are requried to attend the Refresher course once every four years. </font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Refresher III is a 3-day course that updates drivers on customer care, safety initiatives, tourism, personal and professional well-being and relevant by-laws and legislation. Refresher III uses innovative training techniques, including an interactive customer care video and group geography challenge. </font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Congratulations to all team members of the Training Section for a job well done! "WOW"<br> </font></p><hr> <font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><b>Updates By Email</b><br>In an effort to keep our licensees up-to-date,we are collecting email addresses for distribution of information.The next time you drop in to our licensing office give us your email address so we can easily keep you updated on any new and relevant information.Thanks! </font><hr> <font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><b>Licensing Thresholds</b><br>Effective July 1, 2004, the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division shall refuse the issuance or renewal of a license where an applicant has not met the <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/taxitraining/news.htm#4">business licensing thresholds</a> outlined in the Toronto Municipal Code - Chapter 545: Appendix K (Ammendments Effective October 1, 2005). Thresholds have been developed to both raise the standard for licensing review and to provide clear guidelines for licensees to obtain and maintain a license under Chapter 545 of the Toronto Municipal Code.<br> </font><hr> <font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><b>Rob a Cab - You will be Nabbed</b><br>For information on current police investigations and arrests with respect to taxicabs, refer to the Crimestoppers website: <a href="http://www.222tips.com/" target="_new">www.222tips.com</a> <br></font><hr><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">If you have a compliment or complaint about a taxicab driver, contact Licensing Services at <a href="mailto:taxiline@toronto.ca">taxiline@toronto.ca</a> or call 1-877-TO-TAXIS. </font> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-12943388775883221272010-05-29T06:06:00.000-07:002010-05-29T06:07:00.718-07:00Sydney Taxis<div id="page-copy"> <h1>Taxis</h1> <h2>Taking a Taxi?</h2> <p>Each terminal has its own sheltered taxi rank with supervisors on hand in peak hours to ensure a smooth flow of taxis for travellers.<br><br> Kerbside supervisors can also organise taxis with baby capsules, wheelchair access, 5 seaters, station wagons for lots of baggage, and maxi taxis for groups.</p> <p>Here are some approximate return fares you can expect to pay to and from Sydney Airport. Remember passengers pay for any bridge or road tolls on top of the fare (these fares are in Australian dollars and are based on non-peak traffic conditions):<br><br> Rerturn fare to Sydney Airport:<br></p> <ul><li>Sydney City $50</li><li>North Sydney $65</li><li>Manly $103</li><li>Parramatta $165</li><li>Liverpool $114</li><li>Cronulla $89 </li></ul> <p>A $3.00 airport toll is payable by all passengers taking a taxi from any of Sydney Airport's taxi ranks.</p> <p>Contacts have been provided below if you would prefer to pre-book your taxi. </p> <h2>Taxis Combined Services</h2> <p>Phone: 133 300<br> Web: <a href="http://www.taxiscombined.com.au/">www.taxiscombined.com.au</a> </p> <h2>Silver Service Fleet</h2> <p>Phone: 133 100<br> Web: <a href="http://www.silverservice.com.au/">www.silverservice.com.au</a> </p> <h2>RSL Ex-Servicesmen's Cabs & Co-Op Members Ltd</h2> <p>Phone: +61 2 9581 1111<br> Cabcharge Bookings: 131 581 </p> <h2>Legion Cabs</h2> <p>Phone: 131 451<br> Cabcharge Bookings: 131 271<br> Web: <a href="http://www.legioncabs.com.au/">www.legioncabs.com.au</a> </p> <h2>Premier Cabs</h2> <p>Phone: 13 10 17<br> Web: <a href="http://www.premiercabs.com.au/">www.premiercabs.com.au</a> </p> <h2>St George Cabs</h2> <p>Phone: 132 166<br> Web: <a href="http://www.stgeorgecabs.com.au/">www.stgeorgecabs.com.au</a> </p> <h2>Taxi Tips</h2> <p>Drivers are required to accept all fares, big and small, from the airport. If you are only travelling a short distance, drivers can return back to their place in the queue after they have taken you to where you need to go. The kerbside management team will help you and your driver with this request. </p> <p>Please note that taxis are not permitted to pick up passengers outside of the taxi ranks and the driver will be fined AUD $5,000 for breaking the regulation. </p> <h2>Taxi Feedback </h2> <p>If you have any suggestions, compliments or complaints about your driver or your taxi trip please:</p> <ul><li>phone the Taxi Customer Feedback Management System on 1800 648 478</li><li>or visit the <a href="http://www.131500.com.au/customerservice/feedback/taxi.asp" target="_blank">Transport Infoline taxi service feedback page</a> to submit comments online </li></ul> <p>You will need the number plate of the taxi, or the driver's number, the taxi network and the time and date of your journey.</p> </div> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-62447132129659005772010-05-23T07:57:00.001-07:002010-05-23T07:57:19.368-07:00Toronto Taxi Plates for Sale<b>Taxi plate</b><b><br> </b>Taxi plate for sale in Niagara Falls, best offer, 289-257-9361 please contact 12-May-10<br><br><b>Wanted: Toronto Taxi Plate Wanted</b><br>Looking to buy a Toronto Taxi Plate. Contact me if you are selling. please contact 09-May-10<br><br><a href="http://toronto.kijiji.ca/f-taxi-plate-buy-and-sell-W0QQCatIdZ10QQKeywordZtaxiQ20plate">http://toronto.kijiji.ca/f-taxi-plate-buy-and-sell-W0QQCatIdZ10QQKeywordZtaxiQ20plate</a> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-45699079127135549612010-05-23T07:55:00.001-07:002010-05-23T07:55:59.820-07:00Toronto Taxi Plates for Sale<b>Taxi plate</b><b><br></b>Taxi plate for sale in Niagara Falls, best offer, 289-257-9361 please contact 12-May-10<br><br><b>Wanted: Toronto Taxi Plate Wanted</b><br>Looking to buy a Toronto Taxi Plate. Contact me if you are selling. please contact 09-May-10<br> <br><a href="http://toronto.kijiji.ca/f-taxi-plate-buy-and-sell-W0QQCatIdZ10QQKeywordZtaxiQ20plate">http://toronto.kijiji.ca/f-taxi-plate-buy-and-sell-W0QQCatIdZ10QQKeywordZtaxiQ20plate</a><br><br><br> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-8101155664987711082010-05-23T07:51:00.001-07:002010-05-23T07:51:21.079-07:00Is Toronto’s Taxi Industry a Hotbed of Corruption?If you are like most Torontonians, you don't necessarily get the warm<br>and fuzzies when you think of taxi drivers. We all have our own<br>stories about being overcharged, being driven on round about routes,<br>rude taxi drivers…… And sympathy for Toronto taxi drivers doesn't run<br>very high. But if you accept as fact the results of study that was<br>done by University of Toronto sociology professor Sara Abraham,<br>Ryerson politics professor Aparna Sundar, and Osgoode Hall law student<br>Dale Whitmore, then they are to be pitied, not scorned.<p>Deena Ladd of the Workers' Action Centre supported the study's<br>findings. Even though the report is highly controversial and some of<br>the findings are in dispute, it is very clear that something must be<br>done to reform the taxi industry, immediately if not sooner.<p>The report called "Toronto Taxi Drivers: Ambassadors of the City"<br>detailed the exploitation and substandard hourly wages earned by many<br>Toronto taxi drivers. At the heart of the problem seems to be the<br>small license plates that you see at the back of the taxi. They are a<br>legal requirement and they are worth a king's ransom in the taxi world<br>– anywhere from $140,000 - $175,000. Needless to say many taxi drivers<br>can't afford to own a plate, so they lease instead on a daily, weekly,<br>or monthly basis. Prior to 1998 anyone could own a taxi plate.<br>Although the law now requires the owner to be a licensed taxi driver,<br>there are many permits still in existence prior to 1998.<p>According to Richard Mucha, Licensing Manager of Municipal Licensing<br>and Standards:<p>• There are 3,480 standard plates in Toronto<br>• There are 1,403 Ambassador plates in Toronto - These plates were<br>given to the drivers by the city. They do not pay a leasing fee and<br>cannot rent out their cars.<br>• There are 105 wheelchair-accessible plates in Toronto<br>• Of the 3,480 standard plates, 1,335 are owned by 556 corporate entities<br>• 1,080 plates are currently being leased by drivers who rent<br>• The average fee to lease a plate is $1,150/month<p>According to the study there are taxi drivers leasing plates who are<br>earning $2.00/hour. And, if these drivers didn't work marathon hours,<br>they could actually end up losing money. In addition, many taxi<br>drivers also say that they are victims of racism perpetrated upon them<br>by their customers. Jim Bell, President of the Toronto Taxi Alliance<br>and General Manager of Diamond Taxi, doesn't believe that drivers are<br>earning so low an hourly wage and states that in his experience<br>drivers are making on average $12.00 - $15.00 per hour. His theory on<br>the low hourly earnings is that drivers are under reporting. What ever<br>you believe or disbelieve, it seems quite apparent that the taxi<br>industry in Toronto merits further investigation and reform.Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-82812060701491560022010-05-23T07:49:00.001-07:002010-05-23T07:49:53.309-07:00TAKEN FOR A $1 BILLION TAXI RIDETAKEN FOR A $1 BILLION TAXI RIDE<p>by Terence Corcoran<br>Columnist<br>Toronto Globe and Mail<br>5 April 1997<p>No city in Canada is exempt from the shambles created by the ancient<br>regulatory regimes that govern our taxi industries. In the name of<br>levelling the playing field and making taxis safe and cheap for<br>everyone, our licencing agencies have created a bumpy road patrolled<br>by overpriced taxis operated by undertrained drivers of unsafe<br>vehicles. Any lessons learned? Apparently not.<p>Parts of the national taxi mess explode locally from time to time,<br>sending city officials scrambling to clean things up. In this routine,<br>everbody works up a pet theory about the cause of the problem - too<br>many taxis, not enough regulations, incompetent licencing boards,<br>greedy owners, immigrant drivers, whatever - but nobody ever seems to<br>land on the real solution: deregulation.<p>Economists have been working over the taxi industry for decades,<br>finding the obvious economic problem. David Carr, a transport analyst<br>for the Consumer Policy Institute, cites two studies that point to the<br>high cost and distortions of taxi regulation. An Economic Council of<br>Canada study from 1982 concluded that the licencing and price controls<br>imposed by governments push up "the cost of taxi service in Canadian<br>cities by 30 to 50 per cent."<p>Another study of the economic effects of Tbronto taxi regulation<br>concluded that consumers pay the price for regulation wbile producers<br>are protected. Tbe policies limit the supply of taxis, inflate prices,<br>lower the quality of service, and cause inefficiencies and higher<br>profits. Despite powerful economic analysis, the push for more<br>regulation still dominates debate.<p>A taxi uproar is under way in Metro Toronto, stirred by the Board of<br>Trade, based on the fact that an inordinate proportion of the area's<br>taxi fleet is made up of ancient, unsafe and unclean vehicles. Drivers<br>don't appear to be in much better shape than the cars. All of this is<br>bad for Toronto's image and tourism. The solutions offered in Toronto,<br>however, appear to be limited to mandatory hosing down of both cars<br>and drivers, removing old cars from the road and tightening some of<br>the licencing rules.<p>None of which will work, because these regulatory solutions merely<br>avoid the core problem. Like most cities across Canada, Metro Toronto<br>controls the supp]y of taxis by limiting the number of medallions.<br>These medallions, or plates, are government-created pieces of paper<br>that nominally represent the right to operate a taxi. In practice,<br>however, they become like share certificates or bonds, putting a<br>capital value on the shortage of taxis.<p>At current market rates, according to my sources, a Toronto taxi plate<br>is worth maybe $80,000 on the market. The total current market value<br>of Toronto's 3,400 plates, therefore, is about $270-million. In other<br>cities, apparently, the value of each plate can be even higher:<br>$110,000 in Vancouver, $95,000 in Ottawa. A national tally of the<br>total market value of taxi plates could approach $1-billion.<p>All taxi passengers are therefore being taken for a $1-billion ride by<br>the taxi licencing agencies. A significant portion of each fare goes<br>to pay the owner of the taxi plate a decent return on investment.<br>Indeed, the value of the plates fluctuates with market conditions and<br>interest rates, much like a bond. When interest rates were high a few<br>years ago, and business slow, Toronto's plates were much cheaper,<br>apparently as low as $40,000.<p>These market values are for an artificial shortage of taxis created by<br>a government that restricts supply. Private sector executives can go<br>to jail for doing this. Instead of fares paying for better cars or<br>better wages to drivers, the money is going to owners of taxi plates.<p>If a plate owner controls 60 plates, his investment is worth<br>$5-million at current market prices. Plate owners do not typically own<br>the cars themselves; the actua] taxis are usually owned by somebody<br>else. At current rates, obviously, the $80,000 plate is worth three,<br>four or five times the value of the taxi. The cars and plates are then<br>rented aut on a shift basis to itinerant drivers, who must hustle for<br>long hours to make up the cost of the regulatory apparatus before they<br>get paid themselves.<p>The longer these regimes are in place, the deeper the rot and the more<br>difficult deregulation becomes. Easy though it may be to dismiss the<br>plate owners as greedy absentee landlords, the system is not their<br>creation. The owners were actually fulfilling a useful and logical<br>service under the circumstances.<p>One solution in Toronto, treating the owners fairly, is to buy them<br>out. But at $270-million current market value, that option is clearly<br>out of the question. A better solution would be to phase out the<br>transferable plate system. In many U.S. cities, plates cannot be sold<br>or controlled by anyone other than a driver. When the driver dies or<br>quits, the plate returns to the city and a new driver gets the<br>licence. But that's a makeshift plan that doesn't solve the problem.<p>The best solution of all is deregulation of supply and fares. As with<br>restaurants, governments could licence for safety and driver<br>knowledge, leaving the number of taxis and the prices to market<br>forces. The result, would be lower fares and better service.Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-65031750179267354292010-05-23T07:47:00.001-07:002010-05-23T07:47:47.091-07:00Taxi driver stabbed in TorontoToronto - Police are looking for suspects related to a stabbing in<br>Toronto. A cab driver was stabbed in the stomach in the Blake Street<br>and Strathcona Avenue area Thursday night.<br>When a man blocked the path of a taxi and started cussing the cabbie<br>one evening last week the driver left his cab to deal with the<br>situation. Two other men rushed in to attack the driver. "One of the<br>three men involved with the incident pulled a knife on the cab driver,<br>stabbing him in the stomach," said Constable Tony Vella of the Toronto<br>Police. The driver was taken to hospital with life-threatening<br>injuries after the suspects fled the area. One of the suspects is<br>described as white, 17-18, 5'5"-5'6" with a slim build. He was last<br>seen wearing baggy jeans. Another suspect is also white, 20-25,<br>5'8"-5'11", 200 lbs, with a shaved head. Anyone with information is<br>asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at<br>416-222-TIPS (8477), online at <a href="http://www.222tips.com">www.222tips.com</a>, or text TOR and your<br>message to CRIMES (274637).Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-18205583488358177642010-05-23T07:45:00.001-07:002010-05-23T07:45:28.391-07:00Human Rights Hearing Begins Into Racialized, Discriminatory Taxi System<p> <span class="xn-location">TORONTO</span>, <span class="xn-chron">May 10</span> /CNW/ - A human rights hearing has begun in the case of Asafo Adai, who alleges <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> has created a discriminatory taxi system that relegates racialized groups to second-class status. </p> <p> The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal has scheduled several days for the hearing into Adai's complaint against the City of Toronto's two-tier system of "Ambassador" and "Standard" taxi plates. The hearing began today at 655 Bay Street, 14th Floor, and continues <span class="xn-chron">May 11, 12</span>, 14 and 17. </p> <p> Assisted by the Itaxiworkers Association, Adai launched his complaint more than two years ago on behalf of hundreds of Ambassador drivers. The drivers say they are severely disadvantaged by the city's failure to implement a full package of reforms that was supposed to improve taxi service and conditions for drivers. </p> <p> The Itaxiworkers have retained prominent civil and human rights lawyer <span class="xn-person">Peter Rosenthal</span> to argue the case. The Human Rights Tribunal is hearing the case in light of the fact that over 90% of the Ambassador drivers are from racialized minorities, while the majority of Standard plate owners are from European backgrounds. </p> <p> "It is time to get rid of the two-tier plate system in <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> and reform the taxi industry so all drivers can make a decent living and be treated with dignity," said Sajid Mughal, President of the <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> Chapter of the iTAXIWORKERS Association. </p> <p> "This case is the first step in making the taxi industry in <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> a good place for all drivers, no matter what the colour of their skin or their ethnic backgrounds." </p> <p> The Ambassador plate system was implemented in 1999 on the principle that an owner-operator based taxi industry would be better for the public and for the driver. </p> <p> In fact, the opposite occurred. Although Ambassador drivers provide prompt, clean and efficient service they find themselves with plates that have no value. Ambassador drivers must hand in their plates when they retire and they receive nothing for them. In contrast, Standard plate holders can sell their plates for hundreds of thousands of dollars at the end of their working lives. </p> <p> As well, Ambassador drivers who get sick or injured must hand in their plates, while a Standard plate holder who is off work can hire a second driver to work his or her cab. </p> <p> For further information: Peter Leibovitch, Executive Director, Itaxiworkers Association, (416) 278-4123</p> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-66767458492836597602010-05-23T07:44:00.001-07:002010-05-23T07:44:40.864-07:00Toronto - Woman tried to use 911 as taxi service<p>NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Police in one Connecticut city have a warning for nightclub patrons: Don't call 911 for a ride home.</p> <p>New Haven police say that's what 28-year-old Quandria (KWAN'-dree-ah) Bailey did, calling the emergency line six times to request a ride from a nightclub back to her Meriden home.</p> <p>Bailey was charged with six counts of misuse of the 911 system early Sunday. She was released on a $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court May 5.</p> <p>A telephone number for Bailey could not immediately be located Sunday and it was unclear whether she had an attorney.</p> <p>———</p> <p>Information from: WFSB-TV, <a href="http://www.wfsb.com">http://www.wfsb.com</a></p> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-25418932549485180842010-05-23T07:43:00.001-07:002010-05-23T07:43:44.568-07:00Taxi driver killed in Hwy 427 crash<div id="storybody"> <p>A taxi driver was killed in a crash on Highway 427 in northwest Toronto early Sunday morning.</p> <p>The driver had stopped his car — which was experiencing mechanical problems — on the southbound lane of the highway near the Eglinton Avenue W. exit at around 3:45 a.m., said the Ontario Provincial Police.</p> <p>He was standing outside the taxi when it was hit from behind by a sport utility vehicle.</p> <p>The taxi driver was also hit and died at the scene. Police have not released any further details, including the identity of the killed driver.</p> <p>Drivers are often encouraged to stay in their vehicles in the event of a breakdown on the highway. But OPP Const. Graham Williamson said it's not that simple.</p> <p>"It's a difficult thing. You can't really give general information … because every situation has its own individual conditions and merits," he told CBC News. "In a case like this, perhaps it may have been more prudent to leave the vehicle, I don't know. And in other situations, it may have been more prudent to stay in the vehicle."</p> <p>Two southbound lanes on Highway 427 and the exits at Eglinton Avenue were closed for several hours Sunday morning as police investigated, but have since reopened.</p> </div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;" id="TixyyLink"><br>Read more: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/02/14/taxi-427-driver643.html#ixzz0olRGkNLW">http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/02/14/taxi-427-driver643.html#ixzz0olRGkNLW</a><br> </div> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-7503598545597788142010-05-11T10:41:00.001-07:002010-05-11T10:41:50.687-07:00How to get Taxi License in Toronto<b>How to get Taxi License in Toronto</b><br>If you know of an owner who is interested in selling a plate, you must do the following:<br><br> * register the transfer of the plate at the issuing office<br> * the issuing office will set a Toronto Licensing Tribunal date for you to attend(all transfers of plates must be approved by the tribunal)<br> * the tribunal usually requires the owner of a plate to attend all or part of the Effective Taxicab Driver training program; and<br> * after all conditions set out by the tribunal are met, the transfer will be approved.<br> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-47381196379781376752010-05-11T10:27:00.001-07:002010-05-11T10:27:42.263-07:00How to buy a taxi plate in TorontoHere is a forum on this subject:<br><a href="http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/2/438756.html">http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/2/438756.html</a><br><br>Taxi plate price is about 200,000 to buy...<br> Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-79494426314002419722010-05-01T13:31:00.001-07:002010-05-01T13:31:52.947-07:00Toronto TransportationThe Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the third largest public<br>transit system in North America after the New York City Transit<br>Authority, and the Mexico City Metro.[25] The TTC provides public<br>transit within the City of Toronto. The backbone of its public<br>transport network is the subway system, as well as a mainly elevated<br>rapid transit line. The TTC also operates an extensive network of<br>buses and streetcars.<p>The Government of Ontario also operates an extensive rail and bus<br>transit system called GO Transit in the Greater Toronto Area. As of<br>January 2009[update], GO Transit carries over 205,000 passengers every<br>weekday on its seven train lines and extensive bus system.[103]<p>Canada's busiest airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport (IATA:<br>YYZ), straddles the city's western boundary with the suburban city of<br>Mississauga. Limited commercial and passenger service is also offered<br>from the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, on the Toronto Islands,<br>southwest of downtown. Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport in<br>Markham provides general aviation facilities. Toronto/Downsview<br>Airport, near the city's north end, is owned by de Havilland Canada<br>and serves the Bombardier Aerospace aircraft factory.<p>There are a number of municipal expressways and provincial highways<br>that serve Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. In particular,<br>Highway 401 bisects the city from west to east, bypassing the downtown<br>core. It is one of the busiest highways in the world.[104][105] The<br>square grid of major city streets was laid out by the concession road<br>system, in which each major arterial road is approximately two<br>kilometres apart from each parallel route.Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615796632193571886.post-77510137371866792422010-05-01T13:28:00.001-07:002010-05-01T13:28:36.345-07:00Toronto DemographicsThe last complete census by Statistics Canada estimated there were<br>2,503,281 people living in Toronto in June 2006,[1] making it the<br>largest city in Canada,[65] and the fifth most populous municipality<br>in North America.[66]<p>The city's population grew by 4% (96,073 residents) between 1996 and<br>2001, and 1% (21,787 residents) between 2001 and 2006. Persons aged 14<br>years and under made up 17.5% of the population, and those aged 65<br>years and over made up 13.6%. The median age was 36.9 years.<br>Foreign-born people made up 49.9% of the population.[67] The city's<br>gender population is 48% male and 52% female.[68] However, women<br>outnumber men in all age groups over 20.[69] As of 2006, 46.9% of the<br>residents of the city proper belong to a visible minority group,[70]<br>and visible minorities are projected to comprise a majority in the<br>Toronto CMA by 2017.[71] In 1981, Toronto's visible minority<br>population was 13.6%.[72] According to the United Nations Development<br>Programme, Toronto has the second-highest percentage of constant<br>foreign-born population among world cities, after Miami, Florida.<br>While Miami's foreign-born population consists mostly of Cubans and<br>other Latin Americans, no single nationality or culture dominates<br>Toronto's immigrant population, placing it among the most diverse<br>cities in the world.[67] By 2031, Toronto's current visible minority<br>population will have increased to 63%, changing the definition of<br>visible minority in the city. [73]<p>In 2006, people of European ethnicities formed the largest cluster of<br>ethnic groups in Toronto, 52.6%,[70] mostly of British, Irish,<br>Italian, and French origins. The five largest visible minority groups<br>in Toronto are South Asian (12.0%), Chinese (11.4%), Black (8.4%),<br>Filipino (4.1%) and Latin American (2.6%).[70] Aboriginal peoples, who<br>are not considered visible minorities, formed 0.5% of the<br>population.[70] This diversity is reflected in Toronto's ethnic<br>neighbourhoods, which include Little Italy, Corso Italia, Greektown,<br>Portugal Village, Chinatown, Koreatown, Little India, Kensington<br>Market, Bloor West Village, Little Jamaica, and The Junction.<p>Christianity is the largest religious group in Toronto. The 2001<br>Census reports that 31.1% of the city's population is Catholic,<br>followed by Protestant (21.1%), Christian Orthodox at (4.8%), Coptic<br>Orthodox (0.2%),[74] and other Christians (3.9%). Due to the city's<br>significant number of Methodist Christians, Toronto is often referred<br>to as the Methodist Rome. Other religions in the city are Islam<br>(6.7%), Hinduism (4.8%), Judaism (4.2%), Buddhism (2.7%), Sikhism<br>(0.9%), and other Eastern Religions (0.2%). 18.7% of the population<br>professes no religion.[75]<p>While English is the predominant language spoken by Torontonians, many<br>other languages have considerable numbers of local speakers, including<br>French, Italian, Chinese, Punjabi, Spanish, Hindi, Tagalog, Urdu,<br>Portuguese, and Tamil.[76] Chinese and Italian are the second and<br>third most widely spoken languages at work.[77][78] As a result, the<br>city's 9-1-1 emergency services are equipped to respond in over 150<br>languages.[79]Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047953828902989375noreply@blogger.com0