By Cecilia Nasmith
Councillor Aaron Burchat's motion not to allow Cobourg's taxi companies to introduce a fuel surcharge was shot down by the rest of council at Monday's committee-of-the-whole meeting.
As a result, the companies will be able to institute the $1 fuel surcharge with the intention that it should be a temporary measure. It will be in effect until a previously scheduled review of rates in October, though it will be brought back to council earlier for input if gas prices go below $1.40 per litre.
Burchat explained his thinking in making the motion to forego the surcharge, reminding council that fares were raised immediately after a recent presentation to council by the town's taxi companies – which hadn't had an increase in 12 years.
“I'm trying to look out for citizens, which is what I feel we need to be doing,” he said.
Burchat added that the same $1 fuel charge that applied equally to trips across town and to short hops did not seem fair. But none of the other councillors found it objectionable.
“You've got to remember, (taxi companies) have to upkeep their cars, they have to pay the drivers, they have to pay the dispatch – it's not just taking the trip and making a profit,” Councillor Adam Bureau said.
“There's complaints about not having enough taxicabs on the road and wait times. We would be more or less handicapping them. It would mean less taxis on the road.”
“I'm inclined to agree,” Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin said.
“We heard clearly from the taxicab companies they are just barely breaking even. I guess the question is, do we want taxis in our town or do we not? Because if you are not making any money at all and you can't afford to pay your drivers, fix up your cars and stay in business, you are just going to leave and go somewhere else.
“You heard clearly they can't afford to survive without some little bump up.”
“I know we are trying to find a balance between making a fair wage for those in the taxi industry and, at the same time, not penalizing our citizens who do rely on a form of taxi service, and I know it's a delicate balance,” Mayor John Henderson said.
“I think it would be reasonable, given the circumstances and the price of fuel and the fact that Cobourg citizens do rely on taxi service, and we need them to be sustainable in our community,” Councillor Emily Chorley added.
Several councillors referred to the newly established annual review of taxi rates, the first of which will be held in October. Burchat withdrew his motion, and the surcharge was approved.
The surcharge will be added to the meter, which will be calibrated to show the addition clearly for the sake of transparency.
