Bethel commission recommends $2 taxi fare increase, with $1 elder discount

Taxi fares in Bethel would rise by $2 a trip, with a $1 discount for elders, under a recommendation the city's Public Safety and Transportation Commission approved Aug. 5.

The vote was 4-0, on a motion by Commissioner Mark Springer.

The city sets maximum taxi fares by destination. The current schedule lists $8 to and from the airport except Kasayuli, $12 to and from Kasayuli, and $35 for a half-hour charter, along with lower senior citizen rates for several destinations.

Representatives of both cab companies spoke at the meeting. Nathan Uhrinek gave input for Kusko Cab and James Min asked a question for Alaska Cab. No one testified against the increase.

Fares carry particular weight in Bethel, the hub for the wider Yukon-Kuskokwim region. At a state transportation planning focus group in February, Seema Garrett described people arriving from other communities without a vehicle, in places where "it just doesn't make sense to own a vehicle."

Springer reported the recommendation to the Bethel City Council on Aug. 11. The council has taken no action, the change does not take effect unless the council amends the code, and it is not on the Aug. 25 agenda.