The disruptive influence of Uber might force Montreal's taxis to charge less money for rides.
Along with uniforms and technological upgrades to the fleet, the industry says it wants to improve the service offered to customers.
Some taxi companies have already developed apps that allow passengers to order rides, and a company called PAXI is working on an app that would connect all taxi drivers across the island.
The city of Montreal has already ordered all taxis in Montreal to accept credit and debit cards by Oct. 15, and the airport authority is demanding drivers wear uniforms and drive new cars.
This week Montreal, which controls the Taxi Bureau responsible for overseeing taxi permits and drivers, announced more measures to improve service including putting more electric vehicles on the road, coming up with a uniform colour scheme for taxis, and installing cameras and panic buttons in taxis.
It also conceded that the bureau may have to cut prices for taxi cabs in order to compete with Uber.
"It's all about [making] the client satisfied," said Mayor Denis Coderre.
Many passengers only care about price
Rates for taxi rides in Montreal are set by the Taxi Bureau, with a minimum charge for entering a cab and a fixed rate for time and distance, but the advent of Uber and its lower fees is prompting a change.
With many riders caring only about the lower cost, and not knowing or caring that Uber drivers are not licensed or insured to carry passengers, taxis are losing business.
George Boussios, the president of Champlain Taxi, said passengers should stop and think about the long-term effects on their fellow citizens.
"Uber X drivers they have their jobs. A lot of these guys work at Canada Post, they finish at 3 o'clock," said Boussios, who said the part-time nature of UberX work takes money away from full-time workers.
"You know what? That couple of bucks is just a bonus to them, but that couple of bucks is supporting a family."
There are roughly 5,000 taxis operating with medallions in the city of Montreal, and the owners of those vehicles pay a considerable sum to purchase the right to operate a taxi in the city.
About 12,000 people hold class 4C permits, which are necessary in order to work as a taxi driver.
"These guys have paid $200,000 for their permit, they have so many expenses, they're putting 15 hours a day, 16 hours a day, seven days a week. They're not just doing it for fun after working their regular job or because they're contractors that have a month off between jobs so let's do UberX," said Boussios.
Many taxi owners are many are counting on the return in investment from selling those permits to fund their retirement.
"This is their livelihood, this is their career, this is their pension," Boussios said.
