Ottawa losing sympathy for taxi drivers as protests escalate

The protests by airport taxi drivers and their supporters in Ottawa have been tabbed as bad public relations by customers, residents and even city councillors. Here's how you reacted to Thursday and Friday rallies.

Friday protest, damage at dispatcher's headquarters follow Thursday protest that snarled rush-hour traffic

CBC News Posted: Nov 13, 2015 11:32 AM EST | Last Updated: November 13, 2015

An airport taxi driver shouts at other taxi drivers picking up customers during the early days of the lockout in August. (CBC News)

Customers, residents, even city councillors they've all said the ongoing protests by airport taxi drivers and their supporters in Ottawa have amounted to poor public relations.

Unifor to bus protesters in from Quebec, Ontario for taxi driver 'day of action'

After Thursday's rally snarled traffic during the afternoon rush hour commute, we wanted to gauge how people are reacting to the protests three months after they began. Here's a social media round-up.

Some people are able to watch from afar, and were not affected directly.

Me watching the taxi demonstrations in Ottawa. pic.twitter.com/zPcG89SM0n
—@enochdkwok

Others said, as they have for months, that the continued unrest between the taxi drivers and their dispatcher would only push more customerstoUber.

I find it hilariously ironic that the recent actions of #ottawataxi drivers are driving more people to use @OttawaUber than ever before.
—@IT_Spook

Ottawa residents can protest as well, by hiring Uber drivers instead of Taxi drivers. Spend your money wisely.
—@tryoung

2 hours to drive home thanks to taxi protests. Should only have taken 40 mins. I'll be taking uber from now on #otttraffic #Ottawa #ottcity
—@mariaat

You know what gains public support for taxi drivers? Holding a protest on bronson at rush hour #ottawa #taxi #ipreferuber #goawaytaxis #613
—@_kazmaniandevil

Some people questioned Ottawa's taxi monopoly, as dispatcher Coventry Connections runs nearly all taxi companies in the capital.

Can I just ask why Ottawa has/needs three or four taxi lines owned by the same company?
—@dev_nyenewsguy

Many say the inconvenience, as well as a few violent incidents, have prompted public sympathy for the cabbies to wane.

I was sympathetic to #ottawataxi, then they cost me 2 hrs and possibly $30 in daycare fees. Won't be taking a taxi anytime soon!
—@lizlariviere

I don't think there's much sympathy left in Ottawa for the taxi drivers at this point, given the violent incidents and bullying alone.
—@KimberleeTaylor

Easy way to solve the Ottawa taxi issue (slow-rolling protests) - stop hiring taxis. Eventually they'll go way when they run out of money.
—@tryoung

#ottawataxi drivers in tough spot. Their livelihood is being threatened by unregulated part-timers at Uber. Still, today was a disgrace.
—@Carlos77Verde

Will be boycotting all taxi services in Ottawa, just for making me sit in traffic for 1 + hour #ottnews #otttraffic
—@Agentjucey

Undeniably, the protests have affected customers,and that's been problematicfor the image of Ottawa's taxi drivers.

Taxi drivers whose beef is with their company caused havoc today on Ottawa roads and promise worse for average joes tomorrow.
—@OSEGRandy

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