Taxi fare increases approved, but so far no companies have instituted a change

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Though the governing board has allowed local taxi companies to raise their prices, no company has raised them yet.

At the Oct. 16 Stratford Police Services board meeting, the board voted to permit companies to raise their regular fare prices from $14 to $16 and their senior fare prices from $13 to $15 at their discretion, changing course from the last meeting where a possible fare increase was tabled.

Gail Cossey of Aunt Gail’s Taxi and Brad Rickert of Radio Cab petitioned the board to increase fares this summer. They both argued the cost to do business was too high due to rising costs in every sector – from gas prices, insurance costs, repairs, licencing, cleaning and more. Tony Rebelo of Stratford City Cabs was the lone holdout, arguing the financial strain on their customers would be too great.

In a recent post on its Facebook page announcing it would not be raising its fare prices, Stratford City Cabs reiterated that argument.

“Our goal is to keep your transportation costs as affordable as possible for as long as possible,” the post reads. “We are grateful for all of you, our customers, for your loyalty.”

Likewise, Aunt Gail’s Taxis and Radio Cab are also not raising their prices. Neither Cossey nor Rickert provided comment to The Stratford Times before publication.

At the Sept. 18 meeting, the board also voted to have a more fulsome investigation of the regulatory system considering a growing understanding that it is not working for local companies – a decision supported by both Rebelo and Rickert at that meeting. No report or findings have yet been presented to the board or council.

Currently, taxi companies must charge a flat fee for every ride, whether it's a ride down the block or across the city. The fares for all companies are regulated by the police services board, which also approves taxi licences.