Ottawa Requires Taxis To Have Cameras

Ottawa, Canada (AHN) - The city of Ottawa approved a law Thursday that requires all taxis to install security cameras.

The city gave the cab owners until July 2 to comply with the order or their plates would be removed.

The camera costs $1,185, but the city will loan each taxi $485, with the balance shouldered by the owner or driver. Collection of the $485 interest-free loan would be done through brokers, plate owners and drivers and upon sale or transfer of the vehicle.

Susan Jones, director of Ottawa's bylaw services, told the Ottawa Sun, "The ultimate goal is to introduce positive reforms that will provide an excellent and safe taxi service for both the driver and passenger in the nation's capital."

Cab drivers protested the requirement, but agreed to comply because it is a law. The camera is capable of recording images for a week.

To help the taxis offset the cost of the cameras as well as cope up with rising fuel costs, cabs were granted a 10 percent rate increase starting June 1. With the rate hike, the flag down rate would go up to $3.20 from $2.90, plus a 15-cent surcharge for the camera. The surcharge will only be allowed until October 2010.