Iqaluit cabbies seek fare increase

Iqaluit's taxi drivers say it's getting harder to make ends meet and are asking the city for a fare increase.

The price of gas hasincreased substantially this yearbut the city-controlled cab fares haven't changed in two years.

A one-way taxi ride to any location in the capital currently costs $5, but Craig Dunphy, general manager of Pai-Pa Taxi, has asked the cityto increasethe fare to $6.

Dunphy told CBC News that the flat-rate fares haven't kept pace with costs, making its hard for his drivers to earn a decent living.

"It's easy for the power corporation or the city to raise rates for water and sewer but we're still getting the same money," he said.

Dunphy said he made a similar request in April but got no response from the city.

At Tuesday's city council meeting, the matter was referred to the city's taxi committee, which willreview Dunphy's request and make recommendations to council.

The last increase in Iqaluit cab fares was in 2004 when they increased to $5 from $4.50.