Quebec announces support of$ 44 Million to modernize the taxi industry

Matthew Payen

Friday, 15 December 2017 11:10

UPDATE
Friday, December 15, 2017 23:29

Look at this article

The announcement of the injection of $ 44 million from the government of Québec to modernize the taxi industry is welcomed coldly by the drivers, including the value of permits plunged.

“The $ 44 million, it is not for us. You don’t want candy that the minister [of Transportation] gives us, “says Hassan Kattoua, the driver “cowboy” is said to war against Uber.

The modernization plan presented Friday by the minister of Transport, André Fortin, will span five years and will as soon as 2018, the acquisition of technological tools, the purchase of electric vehicles, improved access for people with reduced mobility and the development of a brand image across Quebec.

The plan will be financed by the royalties paid to the State by Uber.

But for several drivers, with the help of Quebec does not solve the problem of the decline in value of their taxi permits since the arrival of Uber.

“My permit, I purchased 225 000 $ and today it is 80 000 $ “, laments Patrick Saint-Fleur.

The minister, however, announced Friday the creation of a committee which shall prepare within two months the amount of compensation to drivers. Our parliamentary Bureau revealed last month that the taxi industry is calling for a redemption permit for $1 billion.