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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 15, 2008 - 5 Fee hikes could boost cab fares By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Higher fees charged to Oakville taxi drivers and owners may soon translate into higher fares charged to the town's taxi riders. On Tuesday night, the town's Administrative Services Committee agreed to more than double the fees charged for licensing and inspecting cabs, in an attempt to cover the costs of providing those services. License renewal fees for taxicab owners will rise from $500 to $1,300 per year, while drivers will see their yearly renewal fees climb to $250 from $100. The fee for an annual taxicab inspection will rise to $200, from the current rate of $100. The dramatic and immediate fee increases reflect the town's intent to move toward full cost recovery in all of its licensing operations, explained Jim Barry, the town's supervisor of bylaw enforcement. While the taxi industry is the first to see the increased licensing fees, Barry said town staff will be evaluating all license fees this year. "We have a responsibility to the taxpayer not to subsidize private businessmen." Ward 1 Councillor Alan Johnston "In the end, it comes down to fiscal accountability," he said. "We do have to make some attempt at cost recovery." While members of the committee agreed with the philosophy of cost recovery, several expressed concern about the impact of the fees on the industry, without a guarantee of a fare increase. Ward 5 Councillor Jeff Knoll noted that the town recently increased the number of taxicabs on the road by almost 25 per cent, and is also considering a number of other significant changes for the industry. "This is a service that is an essential service to the town of Oakville," he said. "We have a responsibility to ensure this industry is viable and continues to be viable." Knoll was unsuccessful in an attempt to convince fellow councillors to hold off on considering the fee increase until a possible fare increase is considered by town council. "We have a responsibility to the taxpayer not to subsidize private businessmen," argued Ward 1 Councillor Alan Johnston. He also noted that the town hasn't had any difficulty in issuing the additional plates it has recently released "so I can only presume it's still a good business to be in." Taxicab fares, which are regulated by the town, were last raised in November 2005. The current fare structure is based on a gas price of 89 cents per litre. It currently costs about $6 to travel two kilometres by taxi, about $9 to go four kilometres and about $27 to travel from most westerly to the most easterly point in town. A possible fare increase is scheduled to be discussed at a Feb. 28 meeting of the Taxicab Review Committee. 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