Vancouver Taxi Association Will Install "Talking Taxi Meters" In All Taxis: A First In Canada

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Dec. 4, 2014) -

Date and Time: Friday December 5^th 11:30

Location: TELUS Science World

Special Guests

Don McRae, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation

Donovan Tildesley, Paralympian Swimmer

Councillor Geoff Meggs (City of Vancouver)

John Mulka (CNIB)

Jane Dyson (Disability Alliance BC, [Formerly BC Coalition of People with Disabilities])

Vancouver: The Vancouver Taxi Association (VTA) will install "talking taxi meters" in all of its cabs to provide an improved service to people with disabilities and seniors, particularly those who are blind or partially sighted.

The VTA is committed to providing the best possible service to people with disabilities and seniors and has been working closely with the disability and seniors communities to fulfil this promise.

The first step was an innovative driver training program that VTA developed with community stakeholders on how to assist seniors and people with disabilities. The introduction of talking meters, the first in Canada and possibly North America, is VTA's latest innovation towards fulfilling its commitment to serving people with disabilities and seniors.

"It's been my honour to work with Rob Sleath from Access for Sight Impaired Consumers and the CNIB, Jane Dyson from Disability Alliance BC, Lorraine Logan from Council of Seniors Citizens Organizations, Jill Weiss from City of Vancouver Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee and others to develop the training. And now we're delighted to introduce the wonderful talking meter," said VTA's Carolyn Bauer.

Customers will be able to ask taxi drivers to turn on the optional audio feature at the beginning of their trip. The meters will announce the starting fare, the fare as it increases throughout the trip and the final fare amount. The meters will be installed in all new Vancouver taxis and will be used to replace all current meters as they age out. "This is a great example of private industry stepping up to help B.C. meet its Accessibility 2024 goal of becoming the most progressive place for people with disabilities in Canada," said Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae. "The Vancouver Taxi Association's new talking meter technology will provide an improved level of service for customers, including seniors and people with disabilities, and particularly those who have visual challenges."

"Providing quality service to people with disabilities is one of the most important obligations we impose on our taxi companies. Innovations like this talking meter are proof that the industry takes this responsibility seriously and is committed to accessible and inclusive service for all customers," said Vancouver City Councillor Geoff Meggs.

"The VTA strongly supports the Province's Accessibility 2024 Plan and the City of Vancouver's commitment to accessibility. This initiative reflects our support," said Bauer, "and we look forward to continue working with the community to ensure we provide a safe and respectful service to people with disabilities and seniors."