Panel Again Swerves Away From Uniform Taxi Fares

Transit officials made another “final” decision Thursday on a plan for uniform taxi fares, reversing a stand they took three weeks ago and making it the fourth time this year that they have changed positions on the same issue.

“We’ve been around this and around this. It’s time to live with the decision that was made,” said Jim Mills, chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Development Board.

Board members Thursday voted 10 to 0 in favor of a flat rate for taxi service from Lindbergh Field only. Three weeks ago, the MTDB had tentatively adopted a flat rate for trips to and from the airport as well as citywide in San Diego.

The plan adopted by the board Thursday allows cab companies to charge $1.40 for the flag drop, $1.50 per mile and $12 per hour waiting time. The new rates are expected to become effective June 1.

By limiting the new fares only to trips originating at the airport, the MTDB has required some cab companies to utilize two meters in their vehicles. Most industry representatives favored a uniform rate citywide and for trips to and from the airport, arguing that a standard fare would end the confusion over variable rates now in effect. San Diego is the only major city in the country that does not have uniform fares.

“We’re seeing the general deterioration of taxi service in San Diego,” said Don Swortwood, president of Yellow Cab. “A uniform rate forces taxicabs to provide better service. We’re leaning a little heavy in the direction of rates at the expense of service.”

Existing fares in San Diego range from $1.20 to $1.83 per mile, while the flag drop varies from $1.17 to $1.41. The different rates charged by cab companies have produced many protests from visitors, who have complained about being gouged by taxi drivers. The MTDB’s action means that visitors will continue to pay different fares for trips to the airport, higher in some instances and lower in a few.

Several board members opposed a uniform rate for San Diego on grounds that it is excessive regulation and hinders free enterprise.

A small group of owners had lobbied hard against uniform fares. Coast Cab and Co-Op Cab have lower rates than the standard ones approved by the MTDB for trips from the airport. Coast Cab and Co-Op Cab argued that their clients, who are mostly elderly and on fixed incomes, would suffer if a higher, uniform fare was implemented in San Diego and for trips to the airport.