Taxicab fares in Philadelphia are about to rise come July 5.
The board of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which oversees taxis in the city, yesterday approved the first base-fare increase for cabdrivers in 14 years.
The initial fare when the meter is first activated, known as the "flag drop," will remain $2.30.
The fare for the average cab ride of about 2 1/2 miles will climb from $7.40 to $8.75, according to James Ney, director of the authority's taxi and limousine division.
In San Diego, a comparable ride costs $12.25, and in Chicago it costs $7.20, according to the authority.
The rate per mile in Philadelphia will increase from $1.80 to $2.10. A trip from Center City to the airport will go from $20 to $25. Center City includes the Art Museum, the 30th Street train station, and University City in West Philadelphia, according to the authority.
Cabdrivers also will be able to charge more to passengers who make them wait. The wait-time fare will increase from $12 to $20 per hour.
The fare increases will put Philadelphia cab fares ninth among 20 major cities, up from 18th, according to the authority. Fares are highest in San Diego, Houston and San Francisco, and lowest in Detroit, Atlanta and Chicago.
Ed Burkhardt, vice president of Yellow Cab Co., a radio dispatch company affiliated with about 150 cabs, said that with many cabbies living "hand-to-mouth," the increase is welcome.
"Any increase is beneficial to them because they haven't had a rate increase in 14 years," Burkhardt said. "Most cities have had two or three increases since 1991."
Burkhardt expects the average cabdriver will net $100 to $125 more each week under the new fares.
The Parking Authority has calculated that the rate hikes will raise the net income of full-time cabdrivers who lease their cars from $20,500 to $30,400.
Several people traveling to and from the city through 30th Street Station yesterday afternoon said they would have no problem paying the new fares.
"It's not going to stop me from taking a cab," said Linda DiGiglio of New York City, who said she visits Philadelphia once or twice a month and relies on cabs to get around.
"I come from New York, where we've had several fare increases since 1991," DiGiglio said.
Taxi drivers at 30th Street said they were pleased by the authority's decision to hike the fares.
"It will help," Khan Noorzad said. "Gasoline. The price is very high right now."
Mohammad Chughtai, president of the Philadelphia Brotherhood of Unified Taxi Drivers and Owners, a group with about 400 members, said the fare increase would help drivers pay for gas and maintenance.
"It's going to help us big time to pay for some of these costs," Chughtai said. "I really appreciate the Philadelphia Parking Authority for giving us the raise."
Contact staff writer Anthony S. Twyman at 215-854-2664 or atwyman@phillynews.com.
