Vancouver taxis will be permitted to share bus lanes as part of a trial project approved by city council Tuesday (January 17).

As part of the one-year trial, taxis will be able to travel, but not stop, in bus-only lanes.

Bauer Sahota, the president of Yellow Cab, spoke in support of the motion in city council chambers Tuesday, on behalf of the Vancouver Taxi Association.

Sahota said the pilot program will allow cabs to get around the city faster and more efficiently, allowing them to pick up more passengers, and it will reduce the costs for taxi users waiting in traffic.

“This pilot program will be an effective way to see how access to bus lanes can improve the overall transportation system,” said Sahota.

The motion to adopt a resolution in favour of allowing the trial project was opposed by Green party city councillor Adriane Carr, who raised concern about the impact of extra vehicle traffic in bus lanes for cyclists.

“I don’t think it’s in line with Greenest City priorities, which is to decrease congestion on the road by prioritizing transit, walking, and cycling, and there has not been consultation with the cycling advisory committee on this,” she said.

Vision Vancouver councillor Tim Stevenson noted that many cities around the world have taxi access to bus lanes as part of a broader transportation plan.

City staff say the project will be monitored to ensure it isn’t causing delays for transit operations.