Despite the thousands of tourists coming into Vancouver for the Winter Olympics, the taxi industry is not expecting a large boost in business, due in large part to numerous road restrictions during the Games.

February is traditionally the low point for the taxi industry, but this year is especially bad, according to Amrik Amrk Mahil, the president of Black Top and Checker Cabs.

The recession and the new Canada Line that links Vancouver International Airport to the downtown are exacerbating the industry's February slump.

"It is the low point, but it's never been this low," Mr. Mahil said in describing the situation leading up to the Winter Olympics.

With an influx of tourists arriving for the Games, the industry remains hopeful for some gains, although restrictions have been put in place on where cabs can stop to pick up or drop off fares.

"We can't stop to pick up flags, we can't drop people off because there's no stopping zones," said a disappointed Mr. Mahil.

John Palis, the managing administrator of Yellow Cab Co. Ltd. was more optimistic. "We have so many people coming into town and the events venues are not exactly easy access for people who are driving their own vehicles."

Several major arterial roads have so-called Olympic lanes, in which only public transit and official Olympic vehicles are allowed.

The Olympic road restrictions are one of the biggest concerns for taxi drivers. According to Mr. Mahil, drivers will be receiving more tickets and will have trouble finding fares because they are not allowed in Olympic or bus lanes.

Mr. Palis had similar concerns. He said that it was not necessary to have "heavy-handed" enforcement on roads, with 24-hour restrictions when rush-hour style traffic is limited to a few hours a day.

But it should be busier for the taxi industry during the Olympic period, but the gains will be hard to predict. "It certainly would be busier than it would be traditionally in February at this time," Mr. Palis said.

Mr. Mahil said one of the ways taxi drivers can benefit from the Olympics is if authorities allow them to "just let us stop for 10 to 15 seconds to pick up people and drop people off and be a bit lenient on the tickets."