The Transportation Department, with support of the Calgary Fire Department, is implementing parking for taxis at designated fire hydrants for a one year pilot program. This designated space adjacent to a fire hydrant is called a 'taxi hydrant zone'. Taxis are allowed to park in these stalls while the taxi driver is actively loading or unloading their taxi or while in the vehicle.
Taxis using fire hydrant space to wait or stand for fares optimizes the use of street space. The fire hydrant space is rarely used and taxis require drivers to remain at the vehicle. If an emergency situation arises, the space can be quickly vacated and emergency service personnel can have the assured access to hydrants.
The benefits include:
- Improved emergency access to fire hydrants due to better protected
from illegal parking
- Greater access to taxis for the public throughout the downtown
- Improved dispatch capability for taxi companies
- Efficient use of street space as fire hydrant space is infrequently used
- Increased public parking space
- Reduced driving for taxi drivers to seek customers
Research conducted in Calgary show that fire hydrant space is frequently occupied by unattended vehicles. Over 6500 tickets are issued annually to vehicles parked at hydrants. Allowing taxis to park at fire hydrants improves the accessibility to hydrants, to taxis and provides the opportunity to open up more space for public parking.
See the locations of the current Taxi zones on the Taxi hydrant parking zone location map.
