Mayor likely to approve taxi rate increase today
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer
The city administration is expected today to approve what would be the first taxi fare increase on O'ahu since 1994.
Advertiser library photo • August 1998
Mayor Jeremy Harris is expected to submit the approval for the fare increase to the City Clerk's office today. No City Council action is needed for the fare increase to take effect.
Taxis wait their turn in front of the Sheraton Waikiki.
City Council members were to be briefed on the decision today.
The maximum-allowed fare by the city now is $2 for the initial drop or pick-up fee, and $2 per mile or $20 per hour, depending on how fast the taxi cab is travelling.
The new minimum fare or pick-up fee is expected to be $2.25. The new fares could be as high as $2.25 per mile or $23 per hour.
City officials did not say when the new fares would take effect. The city held hearings with cab drivers in February and March to discuss what the new taxi fares should be.
"We hope it's something substantial," said Dale Evans, president and general manager of Charley's Taxi & Tours. "The taxi industry has been hurt over the years by the poor economy and high gas prices. Fuel is over $2 per gallon now and we have no fuel surcharge to apply."
