Taxi fares are going up in the Halifax Regional Municipality
Drivers are dealing with higher gas prices and, after Tuesday, passengers taking a taxi in the Halifax area will face higher fares.
Halifax Regional Council unanimously approved a recommendation to approve a fare hike — the first one since 2012. It takes effect immediately.
The starting rate will now be $4.70 — up from $3.20, and it’ll cost more per kilometre.
Fares will increase by about $1.56 more for a three-kilometre ride and $1.99 for a 10-kilometre ride. The limousine hourly rate will also increase to $75.23 from $64.80.
“It’s never been more necessary,” said Dave Buffett with the Halifax Taxi Association. “The cost of living would suggest an increase anyway. But after two years of a pandemic, when we suffered major loss, there could never be a better time.”
The price of gasoline jumped nearly 10 cents overnight Tuesday, four days after gas pushed past $2 a litre in some parts of Nova Scotia.
“Gas prices are crazy,” said Ahmad Miri, who has been driving cabs for 18 years. “It’s hard to survive, especially for taxi driver, it’s very hard.”
When gas goes up, their profits go down. It’s up to cab drivers to cover the cost, though some companies have been using a gas surcharge recently.
“We started adding a $1.30 on every trip and that was necessary, very necessary. I don’t expect to see that with the increase,” Buffett said.
When fares increased in the past, Buffett noted there was an immediate drop in business. But he said it doesn’t last long.
Some drivers believe a fare hike will help, but the price of gas will still outpace ride increases.
“I cannot complain either because the people, they don’t have the money to pay more than that,” said taxi driver Nazareth Yemane.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.