Taylor council gets feedback on taxi rates

Following the October 10 council meeting, where District of Taylor councillors discussed their concerns about Teco Taxis’ rate hikes, the District sent a letter to the Passenger Transportation Board, outlining these concerns.

The councillors felt that the 7.3 per cent rate hike was unreasonable in light of the poor-quality service they say residents of Taylor receive.

At the November 6 council meeting, the agenda included a response from the Passenger Transportation Board. The letter from the Board explained that in August it authorized a rate increase for all taxi licensees in British Columbia, up to 7.3 per cent to offset high inflation rates.

“The Board understands that high inflation has affected all Canadians,” the letter to Mayor Brent Taillefer read. “Taxi licensees have been no less affected, and the Board realizes that there is a risk that their businesses could be unsustainable, potentially resulting in less service in their operating areas, if they are not allowed to keep pace with inflation.”

One of the concerns of Taylor councillors was that Teco Taxi and Fort Cabs lack accessible cabs. Fort St. John city council also noted the lack of accessible vehicles at its October 10 meeting. However, in its letter, the Board said that between the three cab licensees which serve Taylor, there are three accessible vehicles, two at Fort Cabs and one at Teco Taxi.

It also said that it is conducting a review of the taxi rate structure across BC, in the interests of promoting sustainable passenger transportation services.

“If the Board chooses to adopt a new taxi rate structure in your region, its implementation would involve determining a reasonable rate of return for a sustainable taxi sector, balanced with public affordability. This calculation would be based on available objective data and evidence, and it may result in changes to taxi rates to align to the new rate structure.”