County Enacts Temporary Emergency Fuel Surcharge For Taxicabs

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Contact: William Selby, 240-777-5800
Nancy Kutz, 240-777-2227

For Immediate Release: April 18, 2000

COUNTY ENACTS TEMPORARY EMERGENCY
FUEL SURCHARGE FOR TAXICABS

County officials today authorized all County taxicabs providing service within Maryland during the next 90 days to begin immediately imposing a $1.00 surcharge on each trip. The emergency measure was enacted to give relief to cab drivers because the County has the highest gasoline prices in the area.

"The need for an immediate surcharge is necessary to insure the viability of our taxi industry," said Albert J. Genetti, Jr. director of the County's Department of Public Works and Transportation. "Since it is hard to recruit drivers in this economy, the surcharge is also needed to retain drivers and to attract new people to the business."

Most drivers lease their taxicabs and earn a living by the profit they make from taxicab fares. Without the surcharge, they are having difficulty paying their daily expenses.

"We want to ensure that cab service will be available in the County for those who need it," said Carolyn Biggins, division chief of the County's Division of Transit Services. "The recent increase in fuel prices is making it difficult for drivers to operate cabs without taking a loss."

The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) regulates the County's taxicab industry by ensuring it operates under established standards. DPWT licenses all taxicab vehicles and drivers. The County also regulates rates charged by taxicabs.

For more information about the surcharge, or for a free brochure on taxicab service in the County, contact the Taxicab Office at 240-777-2227. The office is located at 101 Monroe St., 5th Floor, Rockville, Maryland 20850, or check the web site at www.taxicab.office@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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