Due to higher gas prices at the pumps and inflation, vancouver taxi fares will soon be going up. Vancouver City Council approved a raise of 2.25 percent for taxi fares.
Gas prices are well over $1 per litre. This cuts into the profits of taxi cab operators. In addition, taxi driver wages have to rise to keep up with inflation. Critics would argue that taxi fares are already high and any cost increases should be absorbed by taxi operators.
As of January 1st the GST ( goods and service tax ) rate fell 1 percent. This decrease in the tax rate was not passed onto consumers by taxi companies. Taxi companies kept their rates unchanged claiming that this 1 percent reduction in the GST would be used to offset the rising costs of operating a taxi.
