Catching a cab in Vancouver should soon become a bit easier following the approval of 111 new taxi licences by the province's Passenger Transportation Board.

The City of Vancouver had requested the increase earlier this spring, which will boost the number of cabs by 25 per cent.

Mayor Sam Sullivan calls that a substantial increase, which will alleviate the long waits that can occur now.

Sullivan hopes it will also help inspire people to give up their cars.
 
"By having these taxis, it will give people another option for transportation, and a lot of these taxis will be hybrid vehicles, alternative fuel-efficient vehicles."

Studies show Vancouver has one of the smallest taxi fleets per capita compared with other major cities in Canada and around the world.

Steve Regan with Tourism Vancouver says the new licences are a step forward in changing that, and will help visitors the most.

"Taxis drive tourism. We've known that for a long time and we've now got the partnerships to move the city forward."

Officials with the Vancouver Taxi Association say all of the major cab companies are onside with the new licences.

But they also caution that there will still be waits for cabs during the busiest times.