Montreal passes dress codes, security camera rules for taxis

Starting in the new year,Montreal taxi drivers will have to obey a new dress code, have security cameras installed in their cars and take electronic payments no ifs, ands or buts about it.

The new rules were passed by Montreal city council on Sept. 16 and will come into effect Jan. 1, 2016.

• Montreal's new taxi action plan focuses on security, tech

Cab drivers will have a year to outfit their vehicles accordingly.

The move comes as Montreal's taxi industry faces a major challenge from Uber, the popular ride-sharing company.

Among the new regulations, cab drivers will have to alert passengers to the presence of a camera by way of a five-by-nine-centimetre pictogram-style sticker affixed to the back right window of the vehicle.

According to the city's new rules, only the police would have access to the images captured by the camera.

It is not clear how much the changes will cost andwhether the city will help cab drivers pay for the new measures.

"In some cases, particularly concerning cameras, we are in the process of finalizing the question of money," said Mayor Denis Coderre at a news conference.

As for the dress code, cab drivers will now have to wear closed shoes and socks. In the winter, male cab driverswill only be permitted to wear black pants, white polo-style shirts or white dress shirts. Women can opt for a black skirt and white blouse.

From May 1 to Sept. 30, bermuda shorts will be permitted.