Bethel commission to consider raising maximum cab fares by $2 and taxi fees about 30%

Bethel's Public Safety and Transportation Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 7, will consider a draft ordinance that would raise the maximum cab fare within town from $5 to $7. The same draft would raise most fees the city charges cab operators and drivers by about 30 percent.

The city's published fare schedule sets maximum fares at $5 within town, $8 to B.I.A. and Tundra Ridge and $12 to and from Kasayuli. Seniors pay less on those trips. The draft would make those $7, $10 and $14, with senior maximums $1 lower. A half-hour charter would go from $35 to $45.

The monthly fee for a taxicab or dispatch permit would rise from $200 to $260, and the two-year chauffeur's license and vehicle permit from $250 to $325 each.

Commission members voted 4-0 on Aug. 5 for council representative Mark Springer's motion to raise rates by $2 with a $1 discount for elders, its minutes show. Nathan Uhrinek spoke on the increase for Kusko Cab, and James Min asked about it for Alaska Cab. Uhrinek spoke in favor of higher fares at the City Council's Aug. 25 meeting, council minutes say. Taxi pricing has appeared on commission agendas since July.

Under city code, the commission can propose maximum and minimum fares for regulated vehicles, but the City Council decides, and no fare changes take effect until it acts. The change was not on the council's Aug. 25 agenda.

The commission meets at 6:30 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers at 300 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway. Written comments go to [email protected] by 4 pm the day of the meeting. Speakers in the room get five minutes each.