Ottawa taxi rates could increase 10 per cent in June
It will cost you more to hail a cab in Ottawa next month.
A report for the community and protective services committee recommends a 10 per cent increase in the taxi meter rates, the first increase in taxi fares in 12 years.
If approved, the drop rate will increase $0.35 to $3.80, while the cost per kilometre will increase two cents.
City staff say the cost for a 10 km trip would increase to $24.42 from $21.78, while the cost of a 15 km trip would increase $3.80 to $34.88.
Coventry Connections and the union representing cab drivers sent a letter to Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services Director Roger Chapman in February asking for the 10 per cent increase in taxi fares.
"Unfortunately, we are no longer able to continue to operate without an increase in revenues, which means a meter increase," said the letter signed by Coventry Connections President Marc Andre Way and Unifor Local 1688 President Ali Enad.
The letter says insurance rates have increased 35 per cent since 2012, vehicles are more expensive to purchase and fuel prices jumped from $1.28 a litre in 2012 to $1.63 per litre in February, when the letter was sent. On Tuesday, gas was selling for $1.99 a litre.
"As a result of these and other unavoidable cost increases, the Taxi industry is requesting a meter increase that would reflect an overall increase of 10% (combination of increased drop rate and per km rate)," the letter states.
The community and protective services committee will debate the proposal at its meeting on May 19. If council approves the 10 per cent increase in taxi rates, the fare hike will begin on June 11.
Airport fares
The letter from Coventry Connections and Unifor Local 1688 also asks for a new minimum fare for all trips starting at the Ottawa Airport.
"We are also requesting that a minimum charge of $20.00 be applied to all trips originating from the airport. We ask the flat rate to be added to the new tariff cards. We would be amending the pricing info at the airport," the letter states.
The report to council, drafted by Chapman, does not address the request for a minimum charge for trips originating at the airport.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.