Getting into a taxi in Waterloo Region could soon include having the entire drive recorded.
Waterloo Region Taxi Association president Peter Neufeld says all cab companies in the region are looking at mandating cameras in cabs in the wake of a series of sexual assault allegations against drivers.
“We’re going to be proactive. We’re going to take care of this issue,” he said Thursday.
In the last two years, six local taxi drivers have been charged with sexual assault.
Angelo Apfelbaum, the region’s manager of licensing and enforcement, says only one of those allegations has led to a conviction – two remain before the courts, two were acquitted and one had the charge withdrawn, he says.
In Ontario, taxis are regulated by municipal governments.
Cities including Toronto and London have passed bylaws mandating cameras in the vehicles, but Apfelbaum says “extensive research” would be needed before the region could follow suit.
Neufeld estimates that it will cost $100,000 to install cameras in each cab belonging to Waterloo Taxi, for which he drives.
“This is money well spent for the protection of the passengers and the drivers,” he said.
Approximately 800 taxi drivers are registered with the region.
