Members of the county government’s Transportation Commission agree it’s time for taxi drivers to get a pay raise.
The body on Nov. 20 unanimously supported a staff recommendation to raise fares. The proposal will be heard by County Board members on Dec. 13.
“You hate to see prices going up, but I think this is understandable,” commission chair Ajdin Muratovic said at the hearing.
The taxi industry “plays a vital role in Arlington,” Muratovic said. “The commission has been very supportive of it over the years.”
Increased fares will allow drivers to keep pace with inflationary pressures, said Angie de la Barrera, the county government’s taxi regulator.
“The costs have continued to go up,” she said, pointing to average increases of 11% for maintenance and 25% for insurance since the last increase was approved in 2023.
If the recommendation wins County Board approval, the initial (“drop”) charge will increase from $3.50 to $4.50, with distance-based charges rising from 40 cents per one-sixth mile to 52 cents per one-fifth mile.
Waiting times also will increase, with changes proposed to go into effect Jan. 1.
The net impact on riders, if the increases are enacted, would be:
- The cost of a 5-mile trip would increase 12.9% to $17.50
- The cost of a 10-mile trip would rise 10.9% to $30.50
- The cost of a 25-mile trip would grow 9.5% to $69.50
Over the past 15 years, the local taxi industry has been significantly impacted by the arrival of ride-sharing services, like Uber and Lyft, which are not regulated by the county government.
In addition, Arlington’s rates have fallen behind some neighboring jurisdictions, leading to an exodus of drivers.
Several cab owners recently “left our company for companies in Alexandria, stating the fares were higher and they would make more money,” said Marguerite Gooden, representing Crown Cab Co. at the Transportation Commission hearing.
“Our drivers work long and hard and they deserve an increase as they try to make ends meet,” Gooden said.
The increased Arlington rates would remain slightly lower than those in Alexandria, where a five-mile trip costs $18, a 10-mile trip $31 and a 25-mile trip $70.
In addition to Crown Cab, five additional taxi firms are licensed to pick up customers in Arlington: Red Top Cab, Blue Top Cab, Friendly Cab, Arlington Yellow Cab and Hess Cab.
Between them, a total of 441 cabs are licensed to operate in the county. Of those, 39 vehicles are wheelchair-accessible, providing a service to those in the disability community that most ride-sharing operators do not.
