Co-op Cabs Urges Taxi Drivers NOT to Boycott Pan Am Games

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 3, 2015) - Co-op Cabs and Crown Taxi today called on all taxi drivers to help make the Pan Am Games a success and to find alternative means to advance their very real concerns about competing with ride sharing companies that operate outside of the laws that govern the taxi industry in Toronto.

"We understand the frustration over the city's failure to deal with the ongoing situation with Uber. Co-op Cabs would like to be very clear in saying we DO NOT condone a taxi driver strike to disrupt the Pan Am games," said Peter Zahakos, CEO of Co-op Cabs and Crown Taxi. "We don't condone disruptions of traffic. We don't condone violence as we have seen in other countries, nor do we condone interrupting a world class event that should showcase our fine city. The athletes coming to our great city have worked and trained for years to represent their countries at the games. Co-op and its drivers want to enhance the experience of the athletes and tourists from around the world, not disrupt it."

Co-op is urging the industry to be team players on this and find alternative ways to bring attention to the real issues facing the industry. Those include:

• Competing with ride sharing companies that are not subject to the rules and laws that taxis must comply with
• Competing with ride sharing companies that are free to set their own rates, while taxis are subject to rates dictated by the City of Toronto
• Costly fees to the City for licensing, inspections, driver training and certification - while ride sharing companies bear none of those costs
• Costs of commercial insurance for transporting paying customers - while UberX drivers carry no such coverage and protection for passengers

"The Mayor continues to say all industry members and ride sharing companies must come together to develop a way forward we all can live with, added Zahakos. "We've been waiting for months for such a meeting but to-date it has been all talk and no action, while ride sharing companies put passenger safety at risk and threaten the livelihood of thousands of well-trained and licensed taxi drivers across the city. There must be one set of rules for all. We look forward to finally seeing action from City Hall."

Visitors to Toronto can enjoy the speed, convenience and safety of Co-op Cabs and Crown Taxis by downloading the GATA app at their favourite app store.

About Co-op Cabs

Our distinctive red and yellow cabs have been navigating the streets of Toronto since 1956. Co-op cab drivers are proud owners of their own vehicles. Being small business owners motivates our drivers to provide the highest level of customer service and safety. We provide over 45,000 trips every month to customers with special needs. Our dedicated members have taken a special training in order to provide accessible transportation for people of all abilities across the Greater Toronto Area.