Fare hikes approved by Stratford’s police services board last month won’t be enough to cover soaring expenses and should be increased further, local taxi operators say.
The board decided in May to increase the base fare for trips within Stratford from $11.50 to $13 beginning July 1, less than the $14 a group of cab company owners had previously recommended. On Wednesday, representatives from three local operations appealed that decision in-person, asking the board to reconsider.
“The tariff increase is needed to keep the taxi industry viable within (Stratford) due to the rising costs of every single one of our operating expenses,” Radio Cab owner Brad Rickert said at the meeting, adding that minimum wage hikes and the impact of inflation on repairs and fuel are seriously squeezing the industry provincewide. “Purchase prices for replacement vehicles have soared, making it very difficult to earn any kind of living within our current tariff rate.”
Gail Cossey, the owner of Aunt Gail’s Taxi, pointed out Wednesday that she’s experienced a 270-per-cent increase in insurance rates during the past two years. An exodus of insurance providers from the taxi industry has forced her to look for coverage from the government, bringing her total per car to about $1,100 every month, she told the board.
“If we keep operating at a loss, you’re going to slowly see more taxis being taken off the road,” Cossey said.
The board agreed last month to conduct a review next summer to determine whether taxi fares should be increased further. On Wednesday, they were open to having that discussion sooner if concerned taxi operators were willing to provide more information.
“All we had was a one-page letter asking for a rate increase,” Mayor Dan Mathieson said. “If you want to bring in tires and all those other types of expenses, let’s put it all in one (report) so we can look at it.”
The board isn’t scheduled to meet again until September, but members acknowledged Wednesday a special meeting could be called earlier.
Rickert said afterwards he was happy board members were willing to keep discussing the issue.
“We’re appreciative that the board is open,” he said.
Current taxi fares in Stratford were approved by the board in 2017. There are currently about 82 licensed taxi drivers in the city.