Support for safety shields mixed among Saskatoon cab drivers

Not all taxi drivers in Saskatoon want to see safety shields become a mandatory feature in the city's cabs.

Yesterday, Saskatoon's Standing Policy Committee on Transportation heard from a taxi driver who feels the protective shields would increase safety for drivers.

• Saskatoon taxi drivers push for safety shields in vehicles

But Murray Hume, a veteran driver, is against the idea.

"I've rode in taxis with them before and you feel like you're in a police car on they way to a police station," said Hume in an interview with CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning.

Hume said he's also concerned the shields would make taxis feel stuffy and make it difficult to regulate temperature.

"They stop airflow in a taxi.Acar is not meant to be subdivided," said Hume.

While he agrees driver safety is important, he's unsure whether the shields would provide a benefit.

"Basically, they clip in.If somebody really wanted to get to you, I'm sure they could kick it out," he said.

Also, Hume feels the protections in place for drivers already are adequate.

"We're already tracked by GPS;we already have a panic button;there's already a camera installed in taxis.So there are some deterrents already."