[pdx_life] Area Taxi Rates Set To Increase

It isn't just TriMet fares that are going up.

On Wed, 22 June 2005, the city's For-Hire Transportation Board of Review approved an increase in the per-mile fare in a taxi permitted through a Portland-based cab company to a new rate of $2.10/mile, or 21 cents per 1/10 of a mile-about a standard city block and a half. The new rates are set to take effect 27 July 2005, according to this report at KGW.com (which also discusses the upcoming TriMet rate increases).

The flag drop-the price that appears when the meter is turned on-is set to remain at $2.00, and it appears that the extra charge-the price for extra passengers over 1-will stay at $1.00/extra passenger.

Despite the expense of taxi rides in Portland, the price rise has been quite slow. Through most of the 1990's, the flag drop in a Portland cab was $1.80, with a per-mile charge of $1.50. In 2001, these were raised, respectively, to $2.00 and $1.80. More recently, the per-mile charge was raised to $1.90, in response to the precipitously-rising fuel prices. Extra charges have remained flat.

Personally, I know a few cab drivers: it's a tough go out there these days. The increase in mileage rates may or may not help, depending on the economy and whether or not the cab companies raise lease and other contract rates to the drivers.

The new rates are city ordinance, and apply to the taxi companies that operate in and are based in the city of Portland: Broadway Cab, Radio Cab, New Rose City Cab, Portland Cab, and Green Cab.