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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.