My wife and I just returned from our vacation to Victoria, British Columbia (Canada). Saw so many Prii and Smart cars running around the city (see pics). Also saw about the same number of Prii and Smart in Vancouver when we visited there too. Seems like lots of Canadians go for the Prii and Smarts... One off topic question: I returned from vacation (2 days ago) and my best friend called me up and said there is a Prius recall on some issues with the steering. I looked on this forum and did not see any mention of that. He said it was true...don't know if he is pulling my leg or not. He drives a late model Dodge Charger and makes fun of my Prius now and then...
Toyota Recall There is a post by the Toyota Motor Sales Rep regarding the recall. The Prius Taxi and Smart Cars in Victoria must be rather new! I went there with my girlfriend and her family a little over a year ago and did not see a single Prius Taxi. I wish I had... it would have probably convinced me to buy one earlier and would have saved me a ton in gas!
Yeah, there is a steering wheel recall. Hmm.. markymags, are you sure? There were tons when I went in Oct 2004 for the Royal Victoria Marathon (my bro, not me).
Just curious, did you drive your Prius up here? We live just 30 miles north of Victoria and have seen many Prii in the past 3 years, I think the Empress Taxi company even had a 2002 model. Smart cars arrived here among the first delivered to North America and it's interesting that Victoria now have special parking for the Smart's at half price on the meters which are painted green but they must park parallel to the curb. Thanks for visiting Vancouver Island. Gary
My wife and I drove up to Vancouver and Victoria (and all over the southern half of the island) last Canada Day and were surprised by the number of Prius... they seemed almost commonplace! We'd wander around the belly of the ferry checking them all out Couldn't quite get used to the whole liters per 100km thing, though... Also we were very envious that you can get Smart cars up there. We've always liked those things, but we're now so used to our Prius' that there's no way we could take a plastic, diesel-powered scooter (just kidding... I'd still love to have one, but it's probably the most inappropriate vehicle for my daily rural commute). We really enjoyed the trip (except for trying to get back into the US) and will probably go again, but I'd kind of like to check out Nelson... any suggestions?
One year ago, I was in Victoria on a business trip. I stayed in the Empress hotel, and they have a complete fleet of maroon Priusses as a taxi service. Watching those smooth cars stop and go silently in front of the hotel was very impressive. They just make other cars seem so old-fashioned. Actually, that was the time that I decided that we would purchase a Prius one day as our city car.
I was in Victoria last winter, called a cab, and a Prius showed up. I really grilled the driver who had over 100K on it. He loved it and plans to buy another one when this one is gone. He said the other driver-owners in Victoria feel the same way. As so many owners do, he leases the car to someone else during his off hours and he's able to charge a higher rate because of the mpg. He's had no problems and has done only scheduled maintenance. I asked him about the guys in Vancouver and he said that they're just as happy as he is with the Prius.
I spent a couple of days in Victoria in August 2004. I can't recall seeing any Prius taxis then. Of course, that was almost 2 years ago. I did have a great time in a beautiful city. Here's the aforementioned Empress Hotel. [attachmentid=3795] And here's an interesting old non-Prius I saw. [attachmentid=3796]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 13 2006, 06:28 PM) [snapback]270847[/snapback]</div> Yea, pretty sure I didn't see any. Of course, one or two Prius taxis might have slipped by without me noticing. I mean, Vancouver is such a beautiful and serene place that I might have just been taken in by the sites to notice any Prius taxis. Of course, if I had seen a fleet of Prius taxis I would have definitely taken notice.
My mom recently returned from her Alaskan cruise, and they went through BC, she was so excited to see Prius taxi's- she took pics and hasn't developed them yet (why oh why is she still using her 35mm??)
Yes, Vancouver has lots of Prius taxis! I saw a completely white one just yesterday for the first time. I haven't kept track, but there must be at least five different taxi companies with different paint jobs. I see several a day, and if I ever manage to unchain myself from this computer, I'll take some pictures.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Canuck @ Jun 13 2006, 09:37 PM) [snapback]270891[/snapback]</div> Nope...we flew up to Seattle and drove up to Vancouver then over to Victoria via Tsawassen. Beautiful places to visit. Too bad we are now back in Dallas where it's 100 degrees! We will return to Victoria and spend more time in Vancouver next time. Tony.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Jun 14 2006, 01:01 PM) [snapback]271311[/snapback]</div> Vancouver cab companies with Prius: Yellow Cab, Black Top cabs (only 1?), Richmond Taxi, Vancouver Taxi, Bonny's Taxi, Coquitlam Taxi (one modded with HID headlights and foglights and 18" chrome rims lol among other things), Surdell, Newton Whalley... can't remember if Whistler Taxi has any.
Victoria is certainly a beautiful town. I lived there for 10 years. My father still does, and he told me about the Prius cabs. Its economy is primarily tourism, so there are not that many jobs. Lots of retired people. There is a good university too, the University of Victoria. Like California, Canada's west coast does like to be on the leading edge of trends. Also, there is a strong contingent of environmentalists on Vancouver Island.
