Letters, Dec. 31, 2019: How many taxis are currently operating in B.C.?
Credit to Author: Stephen Snelgrove| Date: Tue, 31 Dec 2019 02:00:19 +0000
I would like to know how many taxis are on the road. I called ICBC and they told me it will take them three months to get the figure as taxis are lumped together with all commercial vehicles.
A year ago the Passenger Transportation Board increased the number of taxis in B.C. by 15 per cent to 3,500. Are all these taxis on the road? If they are and there is still a shortage of taxis in some areas of B.C., then allow more taxis and/or ride-hailing vehicles.
Taxis and ride-hailing vehicles are the same in that some drivers work part time, some full time. All taxis have an app that you can book online with your smartphone the same as that of ride-hailing companies. The only difference in dispatching is that by law taxi companies have to have an office and receive requests by telephone while ride-hailing companies can only receive requests via their app.
We don’t need an unlimited number of taxis and ride-hailing vehicles on our roads. Their number can be increased every year as the demand for them increases.
Nathan Davidowicz, Vancouver
I am concerned about media reports that the Chinese consulate in Vancouver is recruiting and training volunteers in Canada to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and protect the lives and property of the people and safeguard the safety and legitimate rights of Chinese citizens overseas.
When I read that my alarm bells went off. Exactly what does this mean? It sounds like a paramilitary militia force. On the other hand, perhaps it is intended to help Chinese tourists find their way around the country. The former is a threat to the sovereignty of Canada whereas the later would be innocuous.
As so often is the case with the Chinese government, it is impossible to tell what is really happening. I will reserve my judgment until more information is available, but it they mean what has been reported literally then Canada will have to take action to put a stop to such activity.
Garth M. Evans, Vancouver
Re: 5 things we learned about migration in 2019
Let’s cut to the chase: Mass immigration under the Justin Trudeau Liberals has served its political needs by adding tens of thousands more voters to the large urban centres where its strength lies.
After the 2015 election Trudeau immediately reduced residency requirement to become a Canadian citizen from five to three years. Just in time for them to vote for him in the last election.
If we are really facing the “climate change emergency” Trudeau is claiming, then he should not be adding the “carbon footprint” of 350,000 newcomers annually. Adding the population of a major city also totally ignores our ailing infrastructure, the lack of affordable housing, social services, schooling and Canada’s crumbling infrastructure.
Many parts of Europe are now facing a public backlash because of mass immigration. I wonder when Canadians will finally say enough, demanding immigration be tied to economic, not political needs,
Larry Comeau, Ottawa
What a sad commentary on life in the big city when the only thing worth doing on the day after Christmas is to stand in a lineup or sit in your car with another 50,000 shoppers.
“I wanted to experience Boxing Day sales,” said one woman, from Paris.
Not to mention that 15 minutes farther down the road is one of the jewels in the Lower Mainland’s park system at Iona Beach, and McDonald Beach on the Fraser River is even closer for those who suffer mall-separation anxiety.
But hey, that would mean getting out of your car, or out of your lineup, stop gazing into your phone and take a walk on the beach, smell the sea air, feel the breeze in your hair, watch the birds.
Sad, sad, sad.
Larry Emrick, Vancouver
Would someone kindly enlighten on why a Compass card user pays $5 extra (YVR AddFare) to leave the YVR airport yet a car picking up or dropping passengers does not and enters the YVR airport for free?
I just paid $8.45 for a trip from YVR to UBC. One way.
This is green? This is sustainable transportation? This reduces urban car use? This encourages use of pubic transit? Quite the contrary.
Why not charge every car $5 or even $10 and give them an hour of free parking at YVR?
Thomas Beyer, Vancouver
Letters to the editor should be sent to sunletters@vancouversun.com.
CLICK HERE to report a typo.
Is there more to this story? We’d like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Email vantips@postmedia.com.