Cab Fare Hike Not Done Deal
Drop in gas prices may deem fare increase unnecessary
By MATT BARTOSIK
Updated 2:26 PM CST, Wed, Jul 22, 2009
The jury's still out on whether or not taxicab fares will be increasing next year.
Norma Reyes, commissioner of the city's Department of Consumer Services, had originally pushed for a cab fare hike, but she admits that circumstances have changed since then.
"Gas prices are lower today than they were when cab drivers received a fare increase in May of 2005," Reyes said after a City Council hearing Thursday, according to the Sun-Times.
And while the cost of living has increased by over 10 percent, lease rates "have not increased in over 14 years," she said.
But don't think Reyes has completely given up on the idea of raising fares.
"It's something we have to continue looking at," she remarked, the Chicago Tribune reports. "I will continue to work with the industry ... and make sure we are addressing the needs of the drivers and the consumers."
The United Taxidrivers Community Council is seeking a 16-percent fare hike to compensate for the increase in the cost of living.
Copyright NBC Local Media / NBC Chicago
First Published: Dec 12, 2008 7:43 AM CST
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