Taxi rates are going up in Halifax for the first time in a decade.
At Tuesday’s regular meeting, regional council voted to increase taxi rates by 12 per cent.
This is the first increase to taxi fares since 2012, and it’s largely driven by the rapidly increasing cost of fuel.
“It’s a double edged sword for [taxi drivers],” Councillor Waye Mason said during the meeting. “Right now they’re simply not making enough money as independent drivers…the fares don’t justify the cost of the drive. At the same time, they know that this could impact their industry in a different way and temporarily drive down usage.”
The increase will see base rates for rides start at $4.70, up from $3.20. Meanwhile, the charge per kilometre traveled will increase 13 cents, from $1.69 to $1.75.
Industry numbers show that the average cab ride in Halifax is 4.7 km . So, most riders will see an increase of about 14.5 per cent on their trips.
A report presented to council by Andrea MacDonald, acting director of buildings and compliance for the HRM, notes that by placing most of the increases on the base rate, it’ll keep the cost of longer cab rides down.
“This will allow longer run trips to remain somewhat competitive, while ensuring the unpaid work that is a component of every fare is recouped to the extent possible,” the report said.
Typically reports would need to go through the transportation standing committee, but because of the unprecedented increases to fuel, this report bypassed that committee and was presented directly to council for a vote.
Waye Mason, Chair of the Transporation Standing Committee, put the motion to raise taxi fares before council on Tuesday. Photo: Halifax Regional Municipality.
“This is a real challenge for these folks,” Mason said. “They weren’t really making a whole lot of money before the current [fuel] crisis and I think the council needs to respond and give them the support.”
In Nova Scotia, gas costs up to $2.12 per litre for regular; Diesel is sitting around $2.35 per litre in some areas of the province.
Council voted unanimously to pass the motion to increase taxi rates.
