Montreal, Quebec – The City of Montreal has launched an ideas competition for designers, asking them to come up with a new design for taxi stands. A total of $40,000 in prizes is available to designers in all disciplines who propose innovative solutions for enhancing taxi customers’ and drivers’ experience of the public space they share.

“In Montreal’s Transportation Plan, the taxi industry is recognized as a vital component of the mass transit system,” said Manon Barbe, executive committee member responsible for transportation. “This industry is currently engaged in extensive efforts to refresh and revitalize its image. We want to provide both passengers and drivers with an enjoyable experience that starts with pleasant, user-friendly taxi stands, because these will eventually serve as recharging stations for future electric cars.”

The competition is anonymous and open to all design professionals, students or consortiums whose main place of business is in Quebec. Registration is free and entrants must complete the forms by April 20, 2010, with proposals submitted by May 18, 2010. For more information, visit RealisonsMontreal.