Taxi bylaw a win-win situation, municipality says
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Apr 02/01) - Cab drivers in the capital have received the 75-cent raise they asked for from council.
Last week, Town council passed a bylaw raising flat fares by 50 cents from $4 to $4.50 last week -- bringing the total increase to 75 cents since February when the rate was $3.75. The fee hike took effect Mar. 28.
The bylaw includes probation periods for new cab drivers and disciplinary action for reckless ones.
Rick Butler, municipal administrator, hailed the move as a success.
"There is now a partnership to make taxi service better. The public was heard, taxi drivers have responded and council has responded," Butler said.
Back in December, cabbies approached council for a 75-cent raise.
Two years had passed since the last increase.
In late February, council agreed to bump the rate from $3.75 to $4. A further increase to $4.50 hinged on a three-month review of taxi services. The review stemmed from complaints of speeding and reckless driving, among other concerns.
Iqaluit's approximately 45 cab drivers rejected the phased-in increase, insisting a full 75 cents was needed to combat rising fuel prices and the cost of living. Days later, drivers grounded cab service with a weekend walk-out.
Drivers said they were pleased with the rate increase.
"We fought for this. It helps but we're not going to become rich," chuckled cabbie Giuseppe De Fabritiis.
After subtracting $45 for gas, a $37 dispatch fee and expenses (repairs and insurance), De Fabritiis pulls in $180 before taxes on a good day, he said. An average day is considerably less.
But the good days are disappearing. Competition is fierce with triple the number of cabs on the road compared to three years ago, he said.
He said the fact more people have their own vehicles also cuts into the number of runs he makes during the morning, noon and evening rush hours.
Tips do little to boost his overall income.
"We got what we needed, a little late, but we got it," De Fabritiis said.
Butler said municipal transit -- which many people use taxis for -- is under review.
