Typically, if the North Bay Police Services Board is going to increase the drop rate that North Bay Taxi companies are allowed to charge its usually based on an increase to the community price index.

But that may not happen this year.

At least two taxi companies we talked too following a town hall meeting at the North Bay Police headquarters are looking for stronger action.

John Strang is owner of U-Need-A-Cab.

He says the increase in the minimum wage on January 1st has hit his business pretty hard and he wants a higher increase to both the drop rate and the roll rate.

“This increase of 21 % to payroll is unheard of. It’s never happened before since I’ve been in the business. We have to be able to pass this on to the consumer much like Tim Horton’s is doing,” Strang says.

He’s looking for a one dollar increase to the drop rate, which is what the meter says when you step into the cab, and a 41 cent increase per kilometre on the roll rate.

Nicky Neal is the General Manager of 5-0 Cab.

She says the drop rate is too high as it is now.

“When you first get into a vehicle that’s what you see on the meter. $4.60 is really outrageous. We’re the highest around. Toronto is $3.25 and Sudbury and other communities are a lot less,” she says.

Neal says whe would support a small increase to the roll rate.

A recommendation on the 2018 rates could be presented at next months Police Services Board meeting.

Deputy Chief Scott Tod says the board has two choices include an increase based on a higher consumer price index or go beyond that.

 

 

Filed under: john-strang, nicky-neal, taxi-cab