By Flash Checkers
Special to Inside
City Council in April approved an ordinance increasing cab fares approximately 12 percent and requiring the installation of GPS in all cabs. The fare increase, the first since December 2000, takes effect May 11 and includes:
The “flag pull” or initial charge increasing from $1.90 for the first 1/8 mile to $2.25 for the first 1/9 mile.
The additional fraction of a mile charge increasing from $.20 for each additional 1/8 mile to $.20 for each 1/9 mile.
Every 36 seconds of time elapsed will remain at $.20.
Increasing the flat fee for the first additional passenger from $.50 to $1.The flat fee for each additional passenger, after the first additional passenger, will remain the same at $.50.
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) will be required in all taxi cabs starting Jan. 1, 2007, and fees for failed and missed vehicle inspections will be implemented.
To ensure better customer service and to meet increased customer concern, the Department of Consumer Services will also be enforcing the following:
More stringent standards regarding violations of cell phone usage regulations.
Increasing the number of wheelchair accessible vehicle dispatch calls from two to four per day.
Instituting a vehicle condition policy that requires an inspection if the department receives three vehicle condition complaints in any 12 month period. If the vehicle fails this inspection, the license will be suspended until the vehicle passes a subsequent inspection.
Expanding taxi cab driver training. |
