The Arlington County Board will hold a public hearing on Dec. 12 to consider amending fares and fees for taxicabs.
The proposed changes, if adopted, would raise the initial drop charge on taxicab trips from $2.75 to $3; the per mile charge from $2.10 to $2.16, including wait time for each 56 seconds, from $0.35 for one-sixth of a mile or fraction of a mile to $0.36. The current footlocker charge of $2 would be dropped and a new cleaning fee of $25 would be established and imposed if passengers dirty or foul a cab resulting in a cab which must be removed from service.
If adopted, this would be the first taxicab rate increase since January 2012, when the mileage charge was increased from $2 per mile to $2.10 per mile. The county’s Taxicab Ordinance allows a biennial review and analysis of fare rates and fees by staff, working with the taxicab companies and other stakeholders. After a review in 2013, staff did not recommend a rate change.
If approved, all changes would be effective Jan. 1, 2016.