THE TAXI AS A TRANSIT MODE

Using taxis to provide public transportation service could serve as a cost-effective solution to meet the needs of ever demanding customers more efficiently. In Quebec (Canada), several public transportation taxi services have been established as complements to traditional bus services. In September 1993, transportation authorities in Rimouski, a city in eastern Quebec, implemented taxibus, a demand-responsive public transportation service that relies solely on local taxicabs. Rimouski's successful taxibus service is considered a viable alternative to traditional transit systems using buses. This article describes this new transit concept and why it should be considered as an alternative to traditional transit transportation systems using buses, especially in small- to medium-size municipalities where public transit systems are often nonexistent. Other advantages are also discussed.