Re: Editorial Vancouver’s taxi mafia, May 25, 2007

Although the writer has written a nice fiction with some true facts to make it seem credible, there are truths that are not mentioned. Those truths stem from provincial legislation, acts and regulations along with federal national safety code. A minor over sight I’m sure; these acts and regulations control the taxi industry in BC Provincial Bill 13 stops any municipality in BC from issuing municipal taxi plates without Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) approval.

The Federal National Safety Code along with the Provincial Passenger Transportation Act and Regulations govern the taxi companies area of operation and number of taxis a company may have along with the basics

needed to become a taxi driver. This area also controls the by-annual vehicle mechanical inspections. The City or Municipality only controls the number of taxis in their jurisdiction, enhanced driver training, vehicle age and vehicle inspections on non mechanical issues. Ted Allen, Taxi Manager, Surrey

Mr. Ted Allen is the Manager of Sundel Taxi Company, he is wrong in saying the editorial is fiction because Sundel was allotted new Taxi licenses on April 4th 2007 by P.T. Board. There are two associations of Taxi operators, Vancouver Taxi Association which represents Vancouver Taxi Companies and the rest are represented by BC Taxi Association. The drivers however cannot become their members. According to National Safety Code the commercial drivers can drive maximum 13 hours but many drivers drive more than 20 hours per shift particularly at the Airport, companies and authorities know this fact and they are not  doing anything against this. So rightly said: it is a Taxi Mafia.

Ron,
Taxi driver,
Surrey

Re: Dressed to kill, June 1, 2007

Sikhs did not go on a rampage across Punjab. They held peaceful protests and rallies. There were some clashes at some places between protestors and the police. The death of a Sikh was caused by the Dera cult members. The use of language in this article gives the impression that angry Sikhs caused the death of a person and the injury of 50 others. This is false.

Kulpreet Singh
Surrey, BC