VANCOUVER, BC – Taxi drivers from throughout the Lower Mainland attended a series of free training sessions this past weekend to familiarize themselves with the location and access points for all major Olympic venues.

The training sessions were conducted by the Justice Institute – which provides the “TaxiHost Pro” training sessions for the provincial taxi industry – at their campus in New Westminster and also on location at various taxi company headquarters. Funding for the training was provided by Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours.

“The drivers are all very excited about the Games and really appreciate the opportunity to get fully briefed on the venues, access points and key routes to and from each facility,” said Jasbir Sandhu, program coordinator for the TaxiHost program. “We will continue to offer the training through this week and next to help ensure our drivers are ready to welcome the world.”

Each 90-minute session featured a PowerPoint presentation that mapped out all the Olympic venues in Vancouver, Richmond, West Vancouver and Whistler. Those maps are now available on the Tourism Vancouver website (TourismVancouver.com) or downloaded from the new “CitySmart” mobile application (now available on the Tourism Vancouver website).

Tourism Vancouver CEO Rick Antonson says he’s impressed by the manner in which taxi companies and trainers worked together last week to ensure driver knowledge about Olympic venues and to create the training program for drivers.

“From the cab companies to the Justice Institute, VANOC, provincial and city authorities, Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours and a host of other agencies, the response was immediate,” said Antonson. “The first training sessions were well-attended and we will continue to do everything we can to bring everyone up to speed.”

"The City of Vancouver would like to thank the Justice Institute, Tourism Vancouver, and Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours for conducting this important training in preparation for the 2010 Winter Games,” said‬ city manager Penny Ballem. ‬‪"Vancouver's taxi industry is stepping up to provide service to residents, businesses, and visitors. Their efforts are an important part of making it possible to proudly host the world."

Tourism Vancouver’s focus is on building exceptional customer relationships with meeting planners, travel influencers, travel media and independent tourists.