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INUVIK
A proposal to raise taxi rates in Inuvik passed first reading last week, setting the stage for debate between councillors at a public meeting.

Led by Coun. Terry Halifax, a few councillors expressed serious concerns that local taxi drivers had banded together to ask for the first rate increase since 2000.

Halifax asked "Are these our numbers?" several times Feb. 27 as council pondered whether to give the amendments first reading, which would trigger the bylaw revision process, including a public meeting. Halifax said council should be coming up with its own rates rather than rubber-stamping rates the taxi companies are presenting.

Under the proposed increases, as presented by the taxi companies, rates for trips around the main part of town would increase to $8 from the current $5. Airport runs would cost $35, up from the current $25. All of those prices are one-way rates. People would pay double for a round trip.

The rates are being proposed jointly by the town's two cab companies, Delta Cabs and United Taxi.

The proposed increases are based on the changes in the Northern living allowances given by the GNWT, said taxi company spokesperson Brent Kay.

"It's based on the GNWT allowance," he told the council. "That's increased by 70 per cent since June of 2000, which is the last time the rates changed."

Halifax was unimpressed by the requested rates, and questioned whether council should have included them in the motion on the floor to possibly amend the bylaw.

"Are these our numbers?" he asked repeatedly. "We have to be very careful here. This will affect the poorest of the poor – the people who can't afford a tank of gas. I would like to see some numbers," he said.

Halifax said he'd like to see what the take-home pay is for a cab driver in town.

After the meeting, he continued to express his misgivings about the idea of raising rates.

Halifax said he remembers when the town took over regulating the industry. At that time, competition amongst the drivers and companies was cutthroat, he said, with some cabbies fighting over a fare.

At the same time, private drivers were in demand by residents, who were fed up with the high prices of taxis at the time. That made the competition in the industry even more fierce, Halifax said.

He warned the same thing could happen again now if rates went too high.

"People will vote with their feet," he said. "It doesn't look good for us. It (passing the first reading) looks like we're endorsing the increase."

Mayor Floyd Roland repeatedly explained the town wasn't locked into the rates the companies provided. Instead, it was presenting what the taxi companies were looking for in terms of an increase as public information.

Coun. Derek Lindsay was also in favour of including the proposed increases, saying it gave residents something concrete to work with instead of "hypotheticals."

Despite the misgivings of Halifax and assistant deputy-mayor Alana Mero, the first reading of the motion to amend the bylaw passed unanimously. That will trigger the public input process, with a meeting to be scheduled shortly.

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