Cambridge Raises Cab Fares

Before hailing a cab in Cambridge, potential customers might want to check their pockets for extra change.

The Cambridge License Commission raised cab fares last Monday for the first time in nine years.

The initial meter readings increased from $1.00 to $1.50. Rates were hiked from $0.25 to $0.30 per 1/8 mile.

"With the increased cost of insurance, vehicles, and maintenance, the increase was well-deserved," said Joseph W. Silva, manager of the Yellow Cab and Ambassador Brattle Cab companies.

Cab drivers seemed to agree with Silva, citing higher insurance rates as their main concern. Patrick Jean-Charles, a driver for the Yellow Cab company, said his annual insurance rates rose from $1700 to $5700 over the past five years.

"I would say it's at least $6000-$7000 a year," Steve Fry, an agent for Security Insurance Agency, said. "The insurance companies are merciless toward cab drivers."

Convincing the commission that the hike in fares was needed, however, was not an easy task, according to one cab driver who wished to remain anonymous.

"In order to get the raise, we went through eight months of wheeling and dealing with the city," said the cab driver.

"We had to give them a whole bunch of our statements, what we earned, what we spent, how much our costs were," he added.

The cab companies spent about 10 months working with the city's license commission and different organizations, including tourism and elderly programs, before the rates were raised, Silva said.

"Basically what the commission said was that we are not going to give you a raise, that you have to prove to us that you need it," Silva said.

Despite the higher fares, Silva said customers would not be deterred from hiring cabs in the long run.

"It will be a little slower in the very beginning, but it will be absorbed. A lot of people do understand that the increase was deserved," Silva said.

Patrick Jean-Charles, a driver for the Yellow Cab company, said he noticed a slowdown in the past week, but he is not asoptimistic as Silva about recovery.

"It [the increased rates] started last Monday,"Jean-Charles said. "Since then it's been slow, sowe can't really tell if it's going to be good orbad for us."

But some cab drivers feel that customers arejust going to have to deal with the higher prices.

"They'll get used to it," said Henri R. Jean, adriver for the Yellow Cab company. "It's the samething for us."

"When the insurance company increases itsrates, what are we going to do?" Jean added. "Saywe won't drive the cars anymore?"

The spokesperson and executive officer of thelicense commission, Richard Scali, could not bereached for comment

"It [the increased rates] started last Monday,"Jean-Charles said. "Since then it's been slow, sowe can't really tell if it's going to be good orbad for us."

But some cab drivers feel that customers arejust going to have to deal with the higher prices.

"They'll get used to it," said Henri R. Jean, adriver for the Yellow Cab company. "It's the samething for us."

"When the insurance company increases itsrates, what are we going to do?" Jean added. "Saywe won't drive the cars anymore?"

The spokesperson and executive officer of thelicense commission, Richard Scali, could not bereached for comment