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A new pilot project by the city will require Winnipeg taxi passengers to pre-pay a certain amount before their ride begins.

Starting September 30, passengers will need to make a $10 deposit between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The city says the pilot project is an effort to see if pre-payment will reduce fare disputes in taxis.

“We’ve consistently heard that fare disputes have been identified as one of the main sources of conflict in taxis,” said Councillor Matt Allard.

“Through this pilot, we hope to find out if mandatory pre-payment will help make taxi rides a safer and more equitable experience for both drivers and passengers.”

Passengers will pay the remaining difference at the end of the trip, or be refunded if the final fare is less than $10.

Exclusions from the pre-payment pilot include:

Taxi passengers beginning their trip at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport

Taxi passengers who present a valid taxi voucher

Taxi passengers who maintain an account with the taxi dispatcher

Personal transportation providers (rideshare) or limousines

The city will monitor the number of fare disputes during the nine-month pilot run to determine the next steps of the program.