THUNDER BAY - People needing to use taxi services in the city of Thunder Bay can expect to pay a little more after the Thunder Bay Police Services Board approved a 15 per cent increase to the basic rate.
“I am very happy that we were able to get it approved,” said Seija Sekhon, owner of Diamond Taxi. “It’s been 10 years since we’ve had a rate increase, so it’s about time.”
The motion was passed during the Police Services Board meeting on Tuesday following a deputation by Sekhon. The only vote against the motion was from board member, Brian McKinnon.
The basic rate for taxi services has not seen an increase in almost 10 years, Sekhon said, but in that time, the cost of insurance, gas, and now an increase in minimum wage across the province has made it nearly impossible to keep rates the same.
“Things have gone up a lot in the last 10 years,” she said. “Back then minimum wage was $9 an hour. Now gas, insurance has gone up, everything.”
The motion passed by the Police Services Board allows all taxi companies in the city to increase rates by 15 per cent if they wish to do so.
“The minimum wage legislation took place already so people need help to recoup some of the funds that they need to in order to run their business,” said board member, Joe Virdiramo, who brought forward the motion during the meeting.
Taxi regulation is under the purview of the Thunder Bay Police Services Board. However, in 2012, the Police Board requested the city to take over the responsibility of taxi regulation in 2014. In that time, Thunder Bay city council has been working to overhaul the taxi bylaw.
“It’s been quite frustrating,” Sekhon said of the process. “I should have done this many years ago. We’ve been waiting for the bylaw review that has been going on now for five years and still isn’t complete.”
The bylaw reform is expected to return to city council later this spring, but Virdiramo said it has already taken a long time and the taxi companies have waited long enough.
“It’s not fair for the taxi companies to wait that long before the fee increase in implemented,” he said during the Police Board meeting. “I would support not only this particular company but to say as of today, they are able to raise their rates as it is set in the contract.”
Sekhon said customers will see a slight increase in the basic rate of taxi services from Diamond Taxi, who will be implementing the 15 per cent increase immediately.
“There will be a small increase, but 15 per cent over 10 years is not much at all,” she said.
Drivers will also see an immediate increase in wages and Sekhon hopes it will bring them on par with the new minimum wage.
