We have been providing Kitchener-Waterloo with quality transportation services since 1944. Owned and operated by our drivers, City Cabs is a non-profit organization dedicated to provide a safe, courteous and efficient taxicab service. With the lowest complaint ratio, our drivers go the extra mile to ensure that each and every customer has a pleasant trip.
City Cabs offers the fastest, most convenient taxi service in Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding areas. With rigorous safety standards, a computerized dispatch system and credit-card convenience in each vehicle, we promise complete customer satisfaction with each and every ride. Employing a fully trained and dedicated workforce of Customer Service Representatives, Dispatchers, Office Clerks and Management Committee, we operate a highly professional and comprehensive service 24 hours a day. We have 14 telephone lines and the latest technology that allow our dispatching staff to provide a faster response time to customers.
Our Fleet
City Cabs has a fleet of 70 very well maintained and inspected cabs. Each taxi undergoes inspection every 3 months and the meter is inspected annually for accuracy by a government by-law officer. To ensure a superior level of safety and customer satisfaction, City Cabs management additionally inspect each taxi on monthly basis. We take great efforts to ensure a safe, enjoyable trip for our customers in tri-cities.
Taxi-cab Drivers
All drivers providing a taxi-cab service within the Region of Waterloo are required to be licensed. As part of the licensing process both a police and a driving record check is carried out. Licensed taxi-cab drivers are required to post their licence in a visible place. The licence contains their picture, their first name and their taxi-cab licence number.
Taxi Rates
Up to 5 passengers can ride for the price of one — with two or more passengers, taking a cab to the airport is less expensive than taking the shuttle.
$3.00 - initial start
$1.70 - per km
$30.00 - per hour waiting/contract
The Licensing and Regulatory Services Section of the Region of Waterloo is responsible for licensing and regulating the taxi industry.
To find out more, please visit their web page.
Note: A Driver providing a Taxi Cab Service may turn on Taxi-Cab Meter before passenger has occupied the Taxi-Cab if:
The Passenger has requested the Taxi-Cab at a specific location at a specific time; or
The Driver or Passenger is loading or unloading the Passenger's personal items into or from the Taxi-Cab
Note: GST is included in all fares.
Note: All prices are in Canadian Dollars - Currency Converter
City Cabs History
In 1944, F. Ross Lishman (from family of Lishman Coach Lines) was the proprietor of City Cab Taxi Company, which was located at 159 King Street East, Kitchener, next to Fox Theater. At this time, the telephone number was 2-1600. By 1947, Casper Dautner had become the manager of the business. Shortly afterwards, City Cabs become first local company to implement radio dispatching. Before that, there were restrictions on the use of the radio because of the Second World War. In 1950, due to illness Dautner had to retire from business.
He sold business to Clarence Wagner. That year, the name routinely used by the business was City Cabs. A second telephone, namely 2-4404, was in use by then. One person recalled driving for Harold Lishman in 1957 for several years. Lishman then had 5 cabs and Clare Wagner had 4 plus a spare cab (#11), which was used only when it was busy. Three cabs were individually owned. For years cab 11 was a spare cab and not counted as a part of the fleet. During 1950's, City cabs wore uniform with the hats having a badge affixed upon the front. This readily identified drivers as such, especially when they entered crowded places such as bars or stores looking for their customers.
In 1965, due to fire City Cabs moved to 265 King Street East (a Canadian tire was previously at this address) where it remained until January 15th, 1999. Move to 265 King Street East was originally intended to be temporary accommodation, which eventually lasted for over 30 years, until the company moved to present location at 268 Breithaupt Street. After formation of the Waterloo region in 1973, a new law was passed eliminating multi car/share ownership, allowing each person to only own one car. This forced Wagner to sell most of his cabs after being in charge of operation for over 20 years.
With constant population increase of Waterloo Region, City Cabs fleet continued increasing. In 1967 after adding two new shares, fleet numbered 24 Taxicabs. Only eleven years later, fleet numbered 50 cars! Today our fleet consists of 70 Cabs.
In 1999 City cabs implemented a partial computerization of dispatching system, which become fully computerized by October 2000.
