Ottawa taxi rates increasing 10 per cent in June
Ottawa taxi fares are going up for the first time in 12 years, as drivers deal with higher costs to fill up the gas tank.
The community and protective services committee approved a request from the drivers and Coventry Connections to increase taxi rates 10 per cent, effective June 11.
"The operating cost of driving a taxicab today has gone up more than 20 per cent," Amrik Singh, Unifor Local 1688 President, told the committee.
The drop rate will increase $0.35 to $3.80, while the cost per kilometre will increase two cents.
In February, Coventry Connections and the union representing cab drivers sent a letter to the city asking for the 10 per cent increase in taxi fares.
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 Thursday, gas was selling for $2.06 a litre.
"We're working on the same rates, everything is more expensive," Singh said, noting the last meter increase was in 2010.
"Today we're asking for a meter increase because now is very, very, very difficult to operate a taxicab. Whatever a taxi driver makes, it's gone to either a company or gas companies or other companies. It's very difficult to make a living these days by driving a cab. Gas is more expensive, insurance is expensive, cars are more expensive."
Several taxi drivers spoke to the committee on Wednesday.
"It was not an easy decision for taxi industry to ask for," said Sayded Abdul Latif Dadshani of the request for the fare hike. "But as you know the gas price, the inflation, the housing, food and everything forced the taxi industry to ask for that."
City staff say the cost of a 10 km taxi ride will increase to $24.42 from $21.78, while the cost of a 15 km trip would increase $3.80 to $34.88.
The committee also approved a motion from Coun. Eli El-Chantiry to permit taxi plate holders to license taxicab vehicles for seven years, instead of five years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.