Bangor council to address taxicab relief

BANGOR – City councilors next week will take up a pair of proposals aimed at helping the city’s taxicab industry, both in the short run and further into the future.

During a regular meeting set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, the council will consider an increase in the fees cabdrivers may charge their fares, as well as establishment of a special task force that would explore some of the longer-term issues facing the industry.

The last increase in the maximum rates cabs can charge was in 1999, when gasoline cost $1.36 a gallon, according to city records. Since then, fuel prices have risen steadily, spiking last month to more than $3 a gallon in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Fuel prices have a direct bearing on cabdrivers’ take-home pay because most earn 40 percent to 60 percent of what’s on the meter, plus tips, minus gas.

The council was poised to increase meter rates during a meeting last month, but delayed a decision after some of the city’s cabdrivers complained that the increase would have to be split with owners and would hurt tips.

That plan called for increasing the flag fee, or charge for the first one-sixth of a mile, from $1.30 to $1.75. The rate for every one-sixth of a mile beyond that would have gone from 30 cents to 35 cents.

After taking another look at the issue Monday, the council’s finance committee hammered out a new proposal calling for a $1 fuel surcharge and a smaller flag increase of $1.50 and the same 35 cents for each additional sixth of a mile.

The meter increase and surcharge, which will remain in effect through next April, would be left to the discretion of owners and drivers.

Because some drivers are worried that customers might refuse to pay the surcharge, which would not show up on their meters, the city would print placards to be placed in all the city’s licensed taxicabs, City Manager Edward Barrett said.

In a related measure, the council will consider establishing a taxicab regulation advisory committee.

The panel would consist of:

. Up to six representatives from the taxicab industry, including drivers and owners.

. Three representatives from the public who either are or represent frequent taxi users.

. One representative each from the Bangor Police Department and Bangor International Airport.

. One member of the City Council who will serve as the group’s chairman.

The group will have until April to complete its study, a process that will include issuing a report and recommendations for changes.

The study will involve taking a look at city regulations regarding rates and the minimum quality of services the industry should provide, including equipment condition and customer service, according to the council resolve to that end.