Toronto taxi rides could see price hike, city passes motion for increased fares
Posted April 29, 2022 10:11 am.
Last Updated April 29, 2022 10:26 am.
Torontonians could soon be paying more for a taxi ride.
A city staff report went before Friday’s Municipal Licensing and Standards Committee that recommended a taxicab fuel surcharge of $1 per trip. The committee passed the motion to raise the base fare from $3.25 to $4.25 per trip.
The recommendation came in response of the rapid rise in fuel prices, which have hit record highs in the GTA in recent weeks.
City council will have the final say on the taxi fare hike during its meeting next month.The increase would then be put in place immediately, but only on a temporary basis..
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“There hasn’t been a review of the meter rate in 12 years, and in 2015 they reduced it by a dollar,” says Beck Taxi spokesperson Kristine Hubbard. “I haven’t heard about wages being reduced in any sector, and now we are faced with increases that could put people out of business.”
The decision to drop cab fares in 2015 was an effort to help conventional taxicabs stay competitive with ride sharing apps. The rise in popularity of apps like Uber and Lyft have largely been blamed for drying up business for the taxi industry.
“We’re just not making a living, we’re just barely making payments for whatever we have,” says Aldo Archese, the former president of Independent Cab Owners’ Co-Operative.
Archese says drivers were already facing challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and rising gas prices are just the latest blow to the industry.
“What we need is more people to be in a capacity that we have to pick them up and drop them off. The office buildings are completely shut down.”
In March, Uber also announced a new $0.50 surcharge for every ride. The company says the fee will also be applied to its Uber Eats app.
Ontario gas prices hit record highs last month, exceeding $1.90 per litre, brought on by rising fuel costs after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Earlier this month, the Ford government announced legislation to temporarily reduce gas and fuel taxes. The province says if it is passed, the gas tax would be reduced by 5.7 cents per litre for six months beginning on July 1.
With files from CityNews reporter Adrian Ghobrial
