Taxi drivers look to increase fares

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This article was published 16/01/2023 (963 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tonight’s Brandon City Council meeting will feature a presentation from Baljinder Bath of 4-Way Taxi, who is proposing an increase in taxi meter fares to compensate for worsening economic conditions across Manitoba.

According to the agenda for this meeting, Bath’s proposal, which is co-signed by representatives of five other Brandon-based taxi companies, involves increasing the current start rate of $3.80 (for the first 100 metres or fraction thereof from point of call) to $4.20.

Additionally, the local taxi reps are also looking to increase rates for each additional 100 metres from the point of discharge by 38.8 per cent ($0.18 to $0.25) and 100 per cent ($0.10 to $0.20) for every 10 seconds or fraction of metered waiting time while under engagement.

Brandon taxi owners and operators are bringing this proposal forward due to steeper gas prices, MPI insurance rates and annual driver permits, which are making it more difficult for them to “make ends meet to provide for their families.”

“Due to an increase in the cost of vehicle maintenance and gasoline prices, many drivers in Brandon are finding it more difficult to achieve minimum wage pay,” reads a letter attached to Monday’s council agenda.

“There has not been a meter rate increase since 2015, even though general cost of living in our region has significantly increased.”

This letter, which was received by the city clerk’s office last September, also highlights the essential services taxi drivers provide in the community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The taxi sector is the backbone of transportation services in our community, and the economic changes outlined above have had significant impacts on our bottom line,” the letter reads.

Last month, Winnipeg cab drivers were successful in passing their own fare increases through city hall, with local officials agreeing to a 20 per cent increase that ups the starting rate to $3.95.

Tonight’s council meeting will also feature some business involving Hockey Brandon and a bylaw that aims to establish an Active Transportation Reserve.

With regards to Hockey Brandon, city officials are looking to sign off on a one-year extension of its 2018-2022 agreement with the local athletic club to authorize gift-in-kind ice time at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex.

This extension is specifically designed to help accommodate Hockey Brandon’s Tournament of Champions, which is scheduled to return next month following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

The one-year extension will also provide both parties with enough time to negotiate and request approval for a new multi-year agreement.

Meanwhile, councillors will also use this meeting to conduct a second and third (final) reading for bylaw no. 7344, which aims to establish an Active Transportation General Reserve Fund.

According to the agenda for Monday’s meeting, this reserve will secure funds to increase Brandon’s Active Transportation infrastructure that’s meant to emphasize walking, cycling, and the use of mobility aids like wheelchairs and scooters.

“Brandon residents identified Active Transportation as a priority in the preliminary feedback for City Plan 2050,” reads the council report attached to the meeting agenda. “It is also part of the strategic plan for Brandon City Council for the 2022-2026 term.”

If bylaw no. 7344 passes tonight, it will officially take effect Tuesday.

Tonight’s agenda can be viewed in its entirety through visiting brandon.ca/council-information/minutes-and-agendas.

» kdarbyson@brandonsun.com

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