April 16, 2021

Winnipeg
7° C, A few clouds

Full Forecast

Contact Us Subscribe Manage Subscription Chat with us
Log in Create Free Account Help Chat with us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising Contact
    • Submit a News Tip
    • Subscribe to Newsletters

    • Finding your
      information

    • My Account
    • Manage my Subscription
    • Change Password

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate

    • Log Out
    • Log in
    • Create Free Account
    • Help

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate
  • Coronavirus Coverage
  • Replica E-Edition
    • About the E-Edition
    • Winnipeg Free Press
    • The Herald
    • The Headliner
    • The Lance
    • The Metro
    • The Sou'Wester
    • The Times
  • Above the Fold
  • Front page
  • Arts & Life
    • All Arts & Life
    • The Arts
    • Autos
    • Books
    • Book Club
    • Cannabis
    • Celebrities
    • Diversions
    • Puzzles
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Faith
    • Food & Drink
    • Your Health
    • Life & Style
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Science & Technology
    • TV
    • Travel
  • Business
    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Personal Finance
  • Canada
  • Local
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send a Letter to the Editor
  • Sports
    • All Sports
    • Amateur
    • Auto Racing
    • Blue Bombers
    • Curling
    • Football
    • Goldeyes
    • Golf
    • High School
    • Hockey
    • Horse Racing
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Manitoba Moose
    • WHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • Olympics
    • Soccer
  • World
  • The StarNEW
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • Carrier Positions & Retailer Requests
    • FP Newspapers Inc.
    • History
    • Internships
    • Job Opportunities
    • News Café
    • Privacy Policy
    • Retail Locations
    • Staff Biographies
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Archives
  • Canstar Community News
    • All Canstar Community News
    • The Headliner
    • The Herald
    • The Lance
    • The Metro
    • The Sou'wester
    • The Times
    • Sports
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • E-Editions
  • Classifieds
  • Contests
  • Coupons
    • All Coupons
    • Staples Copy & Print Coupons
    • Ripley's Aquariums Coupons
    • The Bay Coupons
    • Staples Canada Coupons
    • Altitude Sports Coupons
    • Nike Coupons
    • Tuango Coupons
    • Ebay Canada Coupons
    • Sport Chek Coupons
    • Roots Coupons
  • Sponsored
    • Publications
    • Sponsored Articles
  • Flyers
  • Homes
    • Property Listings
    • Featured News
    • Renovation and design
    • New homes
    • Resale homes
  • Newsletters
  • Obituaries
  • Puzzles
  • Photostore
  • More

©2021 FP Newspaper Inc.

Close
  • Quick Links

    • Coronavirus Coverage
    • Above the Fold
    • Home
    • Local
    • Canada
    • World
    • Classifieds
    • Special Coverage
    • Flyers
    • Newsletters
    • Obituaries
    • Photostore
    • Archives
    • Contests
    • Publications
    • Sponsored Content
    • Privacy Policy

    Ways to support us

    • Pay it Forward program
    • Subscribe
    • Day Pass
    • Read Now Pay later
  • Replica E-Edition

    • About the E-Edition
    • Winnipeg Free Press
    • The Herald
    • The Headliner
    • The Lance
    • The Metro
    • The Sou'Wester
    • The Times

    Business

    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Personal Finance
  • Arts & Life

    • All Arts & Life
    • The Arts
    • Autos
    • Books
    • Cannabis
    • Celebrities
    • Diversions
    • Puzzles
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Faith
    • Food & Drink
    • Your Health
    • Life & Style
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Science & Technology
    • TV
    • Travel
  • Sports

    • All Sports
    • Amateur
    • Auto Racing
    • Blue Bombers
    • Curling
    • Football
    • Goldeyes
    • Golf
    • High School
    • Hockey
    • Horse Racing
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Manitoba Moose
    • WHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • Olympics
    • Soccer
  • Opinion

    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send a Letter to the Editor

    Media

    • All Media
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos

    Homes

    • Property Listings
    • Featured News
    • Renovation and design
    • New homes
    • Resale homes
  • Canstar Community News

    • All Canstar Community News
    • The Headliner
    • The Herald
    • The Lance
    • The Metro
    • The Sou'wester
    • The Times
    • Sports
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • E-Editions
  • Coupons

    • All Coupons
    • Staples Copy & Print Coupons
    • Ripley's Aquariums Coupons
    • The Bay Coupons
    • Staples Canada Coupons
    • Altitude Sports Coupons
    • Nike Coupons
    • Tuango Coupons
    • Ebay Canada Coupons
    • Sport Chek Coupons
    • Roots Coupons
  • About Us

    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • Carrier Positions & Retailer Requests
    • FP Newspapers Inc.
    • History
    • Internships
    • Job Opportunities
    • News Café
    • Privacy Policy
    • Retail Locations
    • Staff Biographies
    • Terms and Conditions
Winnipeg Free Press
Articles Read
Your Balance +tax
Day Pass Till
Day Pass
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising Contact
    • Report an Error
    • Send a Letter to the Editor
    • Staff Biographies
    • Submit a News Tip
    • Subscribe to Newsletters

    • Finding your
      information

    • Log in
    • Create Account
    • Help
    • Chat with us

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate
    • My Account
    • Manage My Subscription
    • Change Password
    • Chat with us

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate

    • Log Out
Log in Create Account Contact Us
Contact Us Manage Subscription
  • Sections
  • Local
  • Arts & Life
    • All Arts & Life
    • The Arts
    • Autos
    • Books
    • Diversions
    • Environment
    • Faith
    • Food & Drink
    • Health
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Travel
  • Business
  • Sports
    • All Sports
    • Amateur
    • Blue Bombers
    • Curling
    • Football
    • Goldeyes
    • High School
    • Hockey
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Manitoba Moose
    • WHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • Soccer
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send a Letter to the Editor
  • E-Edition
  • Homes
  • Classifieds
    • All Classifieds
    • Announcements
    • Automotive
    • Careers
    • Garage Sales
    • Merchandise
    • Pets
    • Real Estate
    • Rentals
    • Services
  • Sponsored
    • Publications
    • Sponsored Articles
  • Coupons
    • All Coupons
    • Staples Copy & Print
    • Ripley's Aquariums
    • The Bay
    • Staples Canada
    • Altitude Sports
    • Nike
    • Tuango
    • Ebay Canada
    • Sport Chek
    • Roots
  • Obituaries
  • Subscribe
Business

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

New taxis are head-turners

MV-1 accessible vehicles will meet ever-growing need in Winnipeg

Martin Cash By: Martin Cash
Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Friday, Nov. 2, 2012

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Print
  • Email
  • Save to Read Later

Gary Jakeman hasn't driven a cab for eight years. But the former cabbie, who now runs Dignity Transportation, is having lots of fun on the streets doing some inaugural runs with his company's new fleet of five MV-1 accessible taxis.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 1/11/2012 (3087 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One of five new  MV-1 taxis.

One of five new MV-1 taxis.

Gary Jakeman hasn't driven a cab for eight years. But the former cabbie, who now runs Dignity Transportation, is having lots of fun on the streets doing some inaugural runs with his company's new fleet of five MV-1 accessible taxis.

"It's fun to drive. People turn their heads to look at it. Some want to have their picture taken with it," Jakeman said.

The new MV-1s, which look like tall, oversized station wagons, represent the city's first new taxi licences in many years and are among the first MV-1s in Canada that are in their first model year.

Jakeman likes the look and handling of the MV-1s but people who get around in wheelchairs are even more excited.

The MV-1 is the only purpose-built vehicle on the road for transportation of people in wheelchairs and will be a welcome option for the disabled.

Terry McIntosh, an independent living consultant at the Independent Living Resource Centre, said five years ago it was easier to get an accessible cab. That will change.

"There is definitely a need for this kind of vehicle," McIntosh said. "They will be kept busy."

Dignity Transportation, a Winnipeg-owned company that currently operates 10 vans and five cars for Handi-Transit, will charge standard taxi rates. Company officials said they will service demand from typical Handi-Transit users who need rides outside their pre-booked times.

In addition to the unusual look of the MV-1 vehicles -- which are large enough to carry two people in wheelchairs and four other passengers -- Dignity Transportation cars will also be the first taxis in Winnipeg with equipment to allow patrons to pay with debit cards.

Joan Wilson, secretary of the Manitoba Taxicab Board, said while there was opposition to Dignity's application from Unicity and Duffy's Taxi, the company presented a very good business case.

"We have high hopes for the company," she said. "We know it's hard for disabled people to find affordable transport, especially late at night. It will really serve a lot of people."

While both Unicity and Duffy's have regular-priced accessible vehicles, it depends on who you talk to as to exactly how many.

Regardless of how many there really are -- spokespeople for Unicity and Duffy's were not available -- Jakeman and advocates for the disabled community say there are not enough.

There are also private companies with wheelchair vans, but they charge a premium price -- about $15 at the start of the trip compared to the $3.60 Dignity and standard taxi's charge.

"People in wheelchairs should not have to pay more than you or I," Jakeman said.

Verander Gill, the owner of the company, who also owns Able-Atlantic Taxi and Bee Line Taxi in Toronto, said: "This is the future (for the wheelchair accessible business)."

Gill said the company applied for 10 licences but was issued five. He said he plans to keep track of all the call logs and go back to the board after a year for additional licences because he's certain there is demand out there for more than five cars.

Incumbent taxi companies in Winnipeg aggressively oppose any new licence applications, in part to protect the resale value of Winnipeg taxi licences, which have recently sold for as much as $500,000.

Dignity's five new licences, which are non-transferable and non-saleable, cost $100 each.

martin.cash@ freepress.mb.ca

 

 

THE SPECS

Stay informed

The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19.

Subscribe to COVID-19 Briefing
Sign Up

 

Cost: $47,000

Designed by Florida-based Vehicle Production Group and manufactured by AM General, a world leader in military and special purpose vehicles in Mishawaka, Ind.

Features a larger side entryway and access ramp (available in manual or automatic) with a 1,200-pound weight capacity.

Runs on a Ford 4.6L, V8 engine available with either a traditional gasoline engine or a CNG fuelling system.

Has more than 190 cubic feet of interior volume, seating up to six people comfortably including two wheelchairs.

Martin Cash

Martin Cash
Reporter

Martin Cash has been writing a column and business news at the Free Press since 1989. Over those years he’s written through a number of business cycles and the rise and fall (and rise) in fortunes of many local businesses.

   Read full biography

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

  • Report Error
  • Submit a Tip
  • Refund

The Winnipeg Free Press invites you to share your opinion on this story in a letter to the editor. A selection of letters to the editor are published daily.

To submit a letter:
• fill out the form on this page, or
• email letters@freepress.mb.ca, or
• mail Letters to the Editor, 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2X 3B6.

Letters must include the writer’s full name, address, and a daytime phone number. Letters are edited for length and clarity.

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Top