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May 21, 2008

Gas prices irk city cab firms

By JOE LoTEMPLIO

Companies ask city to raise rates to offset higher costs of fuel

PLATTSBURGH -- Taxi companies operating in the City of Plattsburgh want to hike fares to combat the rising cost of gasoline.

"Our drivers are spending $45 to $50 a day on gasoline, and you have to pick up a lot of riders to make that up," said Perry Buck, owner of City Taxi, the largest cab company in the city with 18 cars.

The city regulates taxi use inside city limits and sets the maximum a cab company can charge.

The city is divided into nine zones, and fares are dictated by how many zones a passenger travels through.

For instance, passengers who travel from the Center City to the City Beach would cross two zones and be charged $4.75.

The cheapest cab ride in the city costs $3.50.

The last fare hike was approved by the council in November 2005 and amounted to 50 cents per zone.

Cab-company owners are seeking a $1 hike in the maximum fare they can charge per zone.

Buck said the last fare hike barely covered the cost of gasoline, which averaged about $2.41 per gallon in 2005.

"They used to spend about $25 a day in gas, and now it is double that with gas about $4 a gallon. And it's not just gas. Everything else is up, too."

Buck noted that the minimum fare in Burlington is $7.50, more than double the cheapest cab ride in Plattsburgh.

Mayor Donald Kasprzak said the council will consider an increase in cab fares at Thursday's meeting.

But the mayor has other concerns besides fares.

"I think we need to look at the industry as a whole and address a lot of issues."

Kasprzak plans to form a commission to oversee the cab business in the city.

"We will look at taxis as a whole. There are a lot of issues, and some companies do a good job of following the rules while others are not."

Kasprzak said he has received complaints about the cleanliness of some cabs, drivers smoking and fare schedules not being listed, as required.

The City Clerk's Office issues licenses to cab drivers, and the Police Department does background checks.

Buck said he is concerned because he has turned away drivers because they did not have proper insurance, "and then a week later I see them driving for another company."

He said a commission would give companies like his more avenues to address grievances.

"If the city is going to regulate us, then we should at least have some representation."

The mayor said the commission would include Common Council members, City Clerk Keith Herkalo, someone from the Police Department and two representatives from cab companies.

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

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