Waterloo Taxi History

In June of 2002, George PETERSON stated his brother, Michael PETERSON, started Waterloo Taxi in 1947. Mike returned from the war in 1946 and operated two cabs at Windsor Taxi on Gaukel Street for about a year before selling and starting his own business in Waterloo. He obtained 6 licenses and started with 2 cabs. He operated for a time out of a little office behind the Kent Hotel at 8 Princess Street.

George provided a photo of the office. The photo shows cab name in the window and the phone number: 5-5058 on the door. The business added a third vehicle before being sold in March 1950 to the people who owned Scott’s Taxi. The amalgamated business operated under the name Waterloo Taxi.

George recalled driving for his brother without the use of a radio system. His brother had applied for the necessary license but had not received it before the business was sold.

The 1948 Vernon’s Directory indicates Waterloo Taxi was operating out of the (John D.M.) Fischer Service Station at 33 King Street South, Waterloo, where Waterloo Square now stands. That year the business advertised as follows: Prompt and Courteous Service

The following year found the business located at 8 Princess Street West (phone 5-5058) next to the Waterloo Theatre.

In 1951, Scott’s Cabs joined Waterloo Taxi at 8 Princess Street West.

WATERLOO TAXI AMALGAMATES WITH TWIN CITY TAXI

The following year found the business located at 8 Princess Street West (phone 5-5058) next to the Waterloo Theatre.

In 1955, Waterloo Taxi moved to 4 Erb Street East Waterloo to join Twin City Taxi, which had been at that location for a few years. With this amalgamation, the business operated under Twin City Taxi for the next ten years. During this period of time, one vehicle still used a Waterloo Taxi top sign but all other parts of the business operated as Twin City Taxi.

In 1963, the Twin City office was operating at 8 Erb Street East, in the bottom of the Waterloo Hotel. It was at this time Miller Taxi amalgamated with Twin City taxi.

TWIN CITY TAXI CHANGES NAME TO WATERLOO TAXI

Two years later (1965), the Twin City name was dropped in favour of, to what was thought to be a more appropriate name, Waterloo Taxi. It was felt customers were getting confused between the names Twin City Taxi (in Waterloo and City Taxi (in Kitchener). This was before the taxi boarder between Kitchener and Waterloo came down in 1991 at a time when cabs could not legally pick up and drop off in the other city.

In the fall of 1968 University Taxi amalgamated with Waterloo Taxi to become Waterloo cars 22 to 27.

1970 04 – name change from Waterloo Taxi to WATERLOO TAXI LIMITED

Waterloo Taxi moved to 55 King Street North, Waterloo in 1971. At that time, Red & White Taxi had been renting at that address for several years. Since Waterloo Taxi bought the building, Red & White Taxi had to move to other premises. Apparently there were strained relations between the two taxi businesses. Some people thought that Waterloo Taxi bought that building rather than a more suitable one across the street, simply to oust Red & White Taxi.

It is known that Waterloo Taxi cabs were painted company colours about 25 years ago. At the same time, the drivers wore uniforms. The time frame for this is not clear but it seems it started in about 1969 and lasted until the 1980s. The vehicles were painted green over orange and the uniforms were orange shirts and ties with the pants and jacket being green. The top signs were orange and green as were the business cards. The colours were dropped mainly because of the expense of painting the cars and purchasing the uniforms. In about 2000, Waterloo Taxi decided to paint its top sign green on white.