Spare a thought

It is a common assumption that when a major event comes to town, most if not all local industries, stand to benefit financially from the large number of tourists and spectators that are attracted to the city willing to flash the cash. The same is happening in downtown Vancouver.....throw a flag on some random t-shirt, and folk will be all over it pretty quickly.

Spare a thought however for taxi drivers. I wouldn't usually suggest it, or feel much sympathy myself....they're a strange and random bunch...often good for a solid footy chat (in London at least), but not a crew that I would usually feel sorry for....they do it enough themselves.

In Vancouver, the public transport system has been bolstered - trains, planes and automobiles at every corner and venue, ready to whisk you away at little cost. Highly commendable from the LOC's perspective, great if you're a fan....not so good if you're a taxi driver however.

Not only are they one of the view folk unable to really profit (or even make their regular income) from having so many tourists in the city, but to provide them with a further kick in the marbles, a number of key roads in the city have been closed so that the traffic can be controlled. Pretty harsh all round really, so spare a thought for Vancouver's taxi boys.