Agenda Summary
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Green Cab Company, Inc. requesting an increase in the taxicab meter rate to $3.80 for the first 1/8 of a mile, $0.50 for each additional 1/8 of a mile and $32 per hour waiting time.
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Official Text
Dear Honorable Somerville City Council,
We are respectfully requesting a meter increase as regulated by the City of Somerville. Cambridge and Boston have both just increased their meter rates in 2024. Somerville requested a market adjustment increase of .20 cents per ride in 2022 to keep our pricing consistent with the City of Cambridge. Cambridge and Somerville have not requested meter increases since 2012 (other than the .20 cent per ride market adjustment for Somerville mentioned above in 2022). Boston did have a meter increase last year raising their 1st 1/8 of a mile from $2.60 to $3.80 then this year raising the waiting time to $32.00 per hour. To effectively compete we are requesting an increase to match Cambridge Rates.
Since those meter increases in 2012 we have seen all of our costs skyrocket. We all know very well that prices are soaring for everything. Most noticeable our insurance costs and vehicle maintenance along with gasoline costs. Drivers are also feeling the effects of the cost of living and desperately need to make a decent living. We have also invested heavily in new technologies to compete with TNC companies.
In the wake of disruptive technology companies, who are now regulated by the State of Massachusetts, we have lost many owners and drivers who simply could not hang on. We have welcomed owner operators from Cambridge to increase our fleet and response times and it has become increasingly difficult to manage two different meter rates once again. It is very difficult to find drivers and we feel if we do not raise the rates to match Cambridge we will lose many drivers. In turn we would not be able to provide the same level of service, possibly threatening our industry in the city we have loved and serviced for over 40 years.
The City of Cambridge officials overwhelmingly supported the recent meter raise. We are requesting the same increase to match Cambridge. This would be $3.80 for the 1st 1/8 of a mile, .50 cents each additional 1/8 of a mile and $32 per hour waiting time. We would also like to raise our senior citizen discount from 20% to 25%, in a good faith effort to help this vulnerable population. All of our contracts with the City of Somerville for seniors and others would remain unchanged in their current terms. We also would like to request that the city allow taxis to use the bus lanes, as we are considered to be a form of public transportation, to ease fares that are increased to due traffic which are reflected in the waiting time on the meter.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to reach out anytime.
Best Regards,
Cheryl Horan
Vice President - Green Cab Co, Inc.