Aug 29, 2008 10:42 pm US/Eastern
Boston Cab Fares Increase As Fleet Goes Green
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
As Boston taxicabs aim to be fully hybrid by 2015, current gas prices are being blamed for cab increases that were just approved by the city's commissioner.
Police Commissioner Ed Davis has approved a rate adjustment for taxi drivers in the city of Boston on Friday.
Mayor Thomas Menino and Davis have also set a plan in motion for all cabs to be fully hybrid by 2015. As part of the plan, owners will be required to replace their taxis with hybrid vehicles, which is expected to reduce carbon emissions from the taxi fleet by 50 percent and will save taxi drivers an estimated $1,000 a month in fuel costs.
But in the meantime, passengers are footing the bill for high gas prices.
The rate is going from an industry standard 5-mile cost of $13.95 rate to a $16.20 rate. The 1/8 mile increment is jumping from 30 cents to 40 cents. And the meter will now start at $2.60 instead of $2.25 for the first 1/8 mile.
The new rates go into effect on Jan. 1, 2009.
Other changes in store for the taxicab fleet by early 2009 include all cabs being equipped with credit card processing capabilities and a rule requiring the cabs to be clean at all times. Drivers will also have to adjust to new rules, including not being allowed to use cell phones while driving and being required to be professionally dressed, neat and clean in appearance.
New York and San Francisco are requiring taxis to convert to hybrids and other low-emission vehicles by 2012.
The president of the Boston's Independent Taxi Operators Association, Marckinson Charles, tells The Boston Globe his group of about 360 taxi owners isn't ready to move to hybrids. Aside from the cost, he said, drivers feel hybrids such as the Toyota Camry don't have enough trunk space.
The Boston Police Department encourages passengers to contact e-mail any complaints related to taxi service to
taxi.bpd@cityofboston.gov.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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