Panel Recommends Taxi Fare Increase

The recent rise in gas prices is being blamed partly for an increase in taxicab fares recommended Tuesday by a Los Angeles City Council panel.

The council’s Transportation Committee recommended that taxi fares be increased by an average of 12% in Los Angeles. If the proposal is given final approval by the City Council, the fare for a typical five-mile taxi ride would increase from $9.58 to $10.70, officials said.

Council members said that if gas prices go down, the city could adjust fares downward in the future.

Councilman Mike Hernandez said the increase is also justified because the city has not allowed taxi fares to keep up with general inflation.

“We haven’t had a rate increase for the last 14 years,” Hernandez said.

The council panel also recommended Tuesday that all of the city taxi franchises, including the two in the San Fernando Valley, be put up for competitive bidding, with new franchises to be awarded sometime after this summer’s Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.

The proposal for new bidding would include incentives to taxi firms that provide ultra-low-emission vehicles that run on alternative fuels.