by KYW's Steve Tawa

These higher gas prices have prompted more discussion about adding yet another fuel surcharge onto taxi fares in the city. But the Philadelphia Parking Authority is not yet ready to take action, because it just increased rates earlier this month.

A 50-cent gas surcharge added to taxi fares on June 2nd, pushed by drivers, was the first since October 2005 (see related story). The president of the Brotherhood of Unified Taxi Drivers is Muhammad Chughtai:

"If we increase another 50 cents, we're going to start losing our ridership."

But he says drivers are being walloped big time:

"Every single driver is spending between $65 to $75 per shift, plus we're spending more during the summer to run the air conditioning."

Parking Authority deputy executive director Carl Siglar says the agency's advisory committee is mindful of the price at the pump:

"They decided to sit tight, monitor the price of fuel, then come back to board members during the summer to get an additional fuel increase."

If demand dries up and prices ease up, Siglar says the PPA would consider lowering the 50-cent gas surcharge (see related stories).


(Photo by KYW's Mike DeNardo)