Philadelphia cab fares increase to offset gas costs

Taking a cab off campus for a night out in Philadelphia has recently become more expensive.

In response to a petition from the Brotherhood of Unified Taxi Drivers and Owners -- an advocacy group for cab drivers in Philadelphia -- the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved a 50-cent increase in the temporary fuel surcharge for all cabs operating in Philadelphia. This hike, which went into effect last Monday, raises the base rate to $2.30.

Under the current system, riders pay the base fare upon entering the cab, and are charged 30 cents for each sixth of a mile traveled.

A cab trip to Center City typically costs about $7 or $8. Many students were unaware of the recent hike, but feel that 50 more cents is not too great a price to pay.

"I think that's OK -- it's not like I spend $10 every day" on cabs, College senior Ivy Pete said. She added that, given the present rise in gas prices, the fare increase is understandable.

The Brotherhood asked the PUC to impose the surcharge due to the increasing price of gas, but also due to a perceived lack of wages. In contrast to the rest of the state, all cabs in Philadelphia have to charge the same rate and the base fare has not changed in 14 years.

"Right now, the meter starts at $1.80," Brotherhood President George Seymour said. "Without the surcharge, we want the meter to start at $2.30."

The Brotherhood therefore attempted to further its wage goals with demands for a 50 cent per passenger surcharge and an extra $2 for rides to Philadelphia International Airport.

Even though the PUC rejected both of those petitions, the drivers' interest organization will continue to campaign.

"We feel that what has happened is more or less ... an oversight on their part," Seymour said. "They already understood the fact that we haven't had an increase since 1990."

The surcharge will expire in June 2005, but by then the Brotherhood expects to have gained a meter rate increase. On April 1, the PUC will no longer control the city's fleet of taxis -- the Philadelphia Parking Authority will take over. During the transition, decisions on meter rates and other fare increases could be approved.

But in addition to the base fare, mileage and other costs may rise for several types of trips.

The Brotherhood will seek a significant increase for rides out of state, and could increase the cost of night rides by 10 cents per one-sixth mile, making weekend nights downtown even pricier.

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