Calgary taxi demand low during economic downturn, says cab driver

Rupinder Gill drives past about a dozen cabs downtown, then makes a left and drives past about a dozen more.

In his 28 years driving cabs in Calgary, he has never had to share the road with so much competition.

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"It's a tough situation right now," said the president ofCalgary United Cabs. "There's no shortage of taxis in Calgary at all."

The city has 1,652 taxis and about 4,500 licenced drivers, according to Marcia Andreychukof the Taxi and Limousine Advisory Committee (TLAC).

Roughly 480of these drivers are new to the system this year, she says.

Both Andreychuk and Gill believe many of these new drivers recently chose the gig after getting laid off elsewhere, orwere in need of additional income during the economic downturn.

"That is consistent with what you'd expect to see ...in a weaker economy," Andreychuk said.

Lack of demand?

The influx might be great news for passengers who can afford the rides, but some are saying the demand isn't there.

Last fall the TLAC issued about 125 new plates to increase service for customers. Yet shortly thereafter, fewer passengers began hailing cabs.

Gill says the weakened economy and the increase in taxis on the road has cost him upwards of $2,000 a month since the new year.

"I'm trying to work longer hours to make up that money," he said, addinghe'll often work from 8 a.m. until 4 a.m. the next day.

"But I can't even recover that money."

He can't recover it, he says, because Calgarians aren't taking cabs like they used to.

Instead, he said taxis spend hours waiting for passengers, often parked illegally or circling around.

Bad economy

Gill points to 10 cars lined up in a taxi stop meant for two.

Traffic officers might eventicket them, he says which isyet another cost they couldn't afford.

Finally, he spots a man with crutches waving his arm to hail a ride. Gill pulls in quickly to pick him up, beating out the competition.

"That's lucky."

But even his passenger admits to changing how often he takes taxis. He wouldn't be in one today, he says, if his leg wasn't in a cast.

"The economy is bad," the passenger explains.

Over the two years he has lived here he's found himself cutting back on these rides, especially on nights out.

"So we just walk or drive with some friends, or take less cabs," he said.

'I hope it ends soon'

The idea of enjoying the city's nightlife is a luxury Gill wishes he could afford.

"All these drivers are working so many hours," he said, gesturing to the taxis he passes. "We don't have any social life. We don't spend time with our kids."

His eight-year-old daughter has had little time with her dad this year, and Gillsays hiswife stays up all night calling to make sure he's safe.

But he's grateful that, for now, no new taxi licence plates are being issued now only ifthe economy would reverse.

"I hope it ends soon, but I'm not sure you know?"