Iqaluit (Oct 20/03) - Cab customers in Iqaluit may soon have to pay for their ride in advance.

That's one of the changes planned for the city bylaw that governs 80 taxis and 117 drivers providing service in Iqaluit.

"The majority of the changes will help the taxi industry and the public," said Greg Dunphy, general manager of Paipa Taxi.

One change will give drivers the discretion to ask for a fare in advance and help reduce the problem of people not paying for their ride.

"Thousands of dollars are lost every year from people who don't pay for their taxi," he said. "By asking for the fair upfront the taxi driver has more control."

City council also wants more control over the taxi industry in Iqaluit and plans to shift control of licenses from drivers to company owners.

"We wanted to create a bylaw for the taxi industry that serves the public and the industry in a fair manner," said Robert Kavanaugh, chief bylaw officer for the city.

The proposed changes to the bylaw were presented to city council Oct. 14.

The bylaw passed first and second readings unanimously. It will go to the new council for third and final reading.

"Right now drivers own the licenses," he said. "If they move from one company to another, they can take that license with them. There's very little accountability."

Kavanaugh said the bylaw was drafted through a taxi advisory committee made up of representatives from Nunavut Caribou Tuktuk Cabs, Paipa Taxi, the RCMP, and the city.

The bylaw will also clear up confusion over the amount for fares.

"The current bylaw says taxi drivers can charge up to $4.50 and in the new bylaw we wanted it to be a flat rate of $4.50," Dunphy said.

Louy Gebara, owner of Nunavut Caribou Tuktuk Cabs said the bylaw changes will improve the industry in Iqaluit.

"I would say the changes will be a benefit to everyone," he said.