Ottawa's largest taxi company plans to equip all of its cabs with surveillance video cameras by the end of 2008, levying a five-per-cent surcharge on fares to help pay for the devices.

Hanif Patni — the president of Coventry Connections, which operates Blue Line and several other taxi services — said the cameras cost about $1,000 each.

But he said the cost would be worth it because it has been proved they prevent crime in taxis and increase safety for drivers.

"Cameras are not new. They've been introduced in many places around the world in taxicabs, as well as places in Canada," Patni said.

Patni said he doesn't think passengers will object to being videotaped.

"I think it would be fair to say the public likes the idea that there is a camera in the car, that the information is captured somewhere, and is not going to be released unless that customer — or the police or the bylaw staff — specifically ask to get that information out," he said.

The plan for video cameras was announced less than two weeks after a Blue Line driver was held up at gunpoint, robbed and stuffed into the trunk of his cab in Ottawa's east end.

Driver Ali Elbadry was able to get out of the trunk by pushing down the car's back seat.

Police have so far made no arrests in the case.