Council approves notice of motion for taxi rate increase
A taxi rate increase is on the horizon in Swift Current to offset the growing operating costs experienced by taxi operators.
Council members approved a notice of motion during a regular City council meeting on Oct. 30 to advise the public of their intention to amend the rates in the bylaw regulating taxi services in Swift Current.
“I know you hate to see prices increase, especially for a service like this, but at the same time there hasn’t been an increase since 2014 and there’s been a lot of costs that have gone up,” Councillor Pat Friesen said. “So I believe it’s certainly a justified increase and hopefully it won’t be too big of a hardship on our citizens.”
The City’s current Taxi Bylaw (No. 17 of 2013) was approved by council on Nov. 12, 2013 and it was amended once on Dec. 8, 2014, when there was an increase in charges.
Three taxi companies are currently operating in Swift Current. They recently approached the City with a request that the current taxi rates are reviewed.
City Clerk Jackie Schlamp and the City bylaw officers had a meeting with the taxi companies in September and taxi representatives made a presentation to council members at the Governance and Priorities Committee meeting, Oct. 11.
Their presentation highlighted concerns by the taxi companies about increased expenses for maintenance, fuel prices and vehicle replacement costs.
“It’s an important service within our community,” Schlamp said after the Oct. 30 council meeting. “We encourage the local companies to take pride in their vehicles when putting them on the road. This service is not only provided for our citizens, but also includes guests to our city. We’re all feeling the influx of costs. Given that these taxis have not seen an increase since 2014, it’s well overdue.”
The taxi rate increase will be implemented over a two-year period and the City’s intention is to review the entire bylaw in 2026. There will only be a rate increase for the charge per 100 metres.
“We are very cognizant when making the suggestions of the increase and this is directly reflected in that this increase is going to happen in two increments,” she said.
The initial rate increase will be effective Dec. 1, 2023. The rate charge will change from $0.25 to $0.30 per 100 metres or portion thereof travelled by a taxi.
The next rate increase will be effective Jan. 1, 2025. The charge will increase from $0.30 to $0.35 per 100 metres or portion thereof.
The minimum carriage charge and the charge for waiting time will remain unchanged. There is a minimum charge of $4 each time a taxi is hired and the waiting time fee is $1 for each minute a taxi operator waits for a passenger.
Schlamp indicated that the amendment of the Taxi Bylaw will be considered at the next scheduled council meeting on Nov. 13.
“It will have three readings and at that time council can debate it, provide their support and then it will be voted on,” she said. “If it’s passed that evening, then it will be in effect Dec. 1. If they decide that council wishes us to go back and do some more research on it, they can request that. But given that this has gone before council already and they’ve had the ability to discuss it, I’m confident that it will be passed at the Nov. 13 meeting.”