Cabby's death has inspired safer taxis

By the end of the year, Winnipeg will have the safest cabs anywher, aaccording to transportation minister Steve Ashton.

Ashton was speaking Thursday on the anniversary of the killing of taxi driver Pritam Deol. He says that Winnipeg will be the first city to introduce both mandatory cameras and safety shields in taxis.

"We're looking at a new generation of shields as well, because some of the original designs that would have existed 10 or 15 years ago, really, were problematic. The board is working with the industry right now, and we're moving dramatically along that level. So by the end of the year, we're going to have cameras and shields," Ashton says.

Cameras that take a picture every few seconds have already been installed in all Winnipeg cabs. Taxi owners have been given until December 1st to have safety shields installed.

A 25-cent levy was introduced on all cab fairs. Ashton says that will help to cover the total cost of implementing the new safety measures.