Winnipeg to get limo for people with disabilities despite opposition

Winnipeg could soon see its first wheel-chair accessible limousine service despite opposition from the city's two biggest taxi companies.

Manitoba’s Taxicab board approved a license for Sunshine Transit Service to operate an accessible limousine.

Last week, the company argued people with disabilities are forced to take Handi-Transit or accessible taxis to important events like graduations, weddings or funerals, while their family and friends were riding in limousines.

The license approval came despite opposition from the city’s two biggest cab companies, Duffy’s Taxi and Unicity Taxi.

Representatives for both companies argued there was not enough demand for the service. The companies also said Winnipeg was already saturated with cabs and limos.

It’s not the first time Duffy’s and Unicity have opposed taxi services for people with disabilities.

In April, Dignity Taxi applied to the Taxicab board for 10 more cab licenses to accommodate wheelchairs – citing two-hour long waits for people with disabilities.

At the time, Unicity and Duffy’s opposed the move, saying they were meeting the demand.

Winnipeg has seven taxis for every 10,000 citizens while Ottawa and Edmonton have double that amount and Montreal has four times that amount.

Sunshine Transit Services will still have to jump through a number of hoops before the limo can hit the road, include getting a business license, proof of ownership, taxicab inspections, paying fees and securing insurance.