Calgary, AB,
01
December
2017
|
11:00
America/Denver

Don’t Get Taken for a Ride This Holiday Season

The holiday season -- and its usual round of office parties, New Year celebrations, and family get-togethers – is now upon us. Late nights, unpredictable weather, and perhaps a celebratory drink or two, mean that many of us will be leaving our car at home and seeking alternative modes of transport.

Taxis, rideshare and limo services are a safe choice for traveling around our city. These services are regulated by The City of Calgary and must meet City safety standards before drivers can take passengers.

“At The City, our number one priority is keeping passengers and drivers safe”, said Abdul Rafih, Chief Livery Inspector at The City of Calgary.

“All rideshare apps provide passengers with a photo of the driver, the licence plate number and the make and model of the vehicle. They also offer real time GPS tracking so you can track the vehicle on route to your location. It’s extremely important that you check this information before you get into a vehicle; it’s your protection against getting into a vehicle with a potentially unsafe, unlicensed driver,” Rafih explained.

“Similarly, when you are street-hailing a taxi, take the time to verify that the taxi is legitimate before you get in. Make sure the driver and vehicle are both licensed. Check for a taxi plate on the rear bumper of the vehicle to verify that it is a licensed taxi. The driver’s ID should be posted in a visible location, typically on the driver's visor.

“Overall, satisfaction with taxi and rideshare services is very high amongst Calgarians. Last year, more than 90% of passengers were satisfied with the service they received from a taxi or rideshare service during the holidays. That said, if you ever have any concerns about a rideshare, limo or taxi service, please do not hesitate to contact us at 3-1-1 so we can investigate,” he added.

For more tips on keeping safe this holiday season, visit Calgary.ca/taxi