While in Vancouver last week, almost every cab I saw was a hybrid.

Here are the rates for Yellow Cab in Vancouver:

  • Flag (Includes first 1/13th KM) - $2.70
  • Per Kilometer - $1.58

Here are the rates in Toronto:

  • Pickup rate - $4
  • Per kilometre - $1.62

That is the rate as of June 25, when the city approved a hike.

The rate hike went through in part because cabbies are screaming they can't make money in today's high-gas-cost environment.

In Vancouver, one hybrid-driving cabbie told me the vehicle is paying for itself, he's very happy with it and he's not going back to a conventional vehicle.

It left me wondering why no hybrids are showing up in Toronto's cab fleets, considering the gas-guzzling nature of the existing cabs.