Fuel costs soar but meters don't

Gas squeezes cab operator
06/24/2008

A taxicab business that survives just by the people who call it now faces a new dilemma: rising gasoline prices.

Sarwar Yourish, owner and operator of Empire Taxi in Redlands CA, said there are many reasons people might call his taxi service.

"Some people are wise enough to not drink and drive, so they call us," said Yourish, who was born in Afghanistan and drove cabs in New York City. "And the other factor might be the gas price. But actually, there are few people calling us - those who break down, and those who don't have their cars available. Otherwise, most of the people here have their own transportation."

Yourish's struggle began with getting licensed in Redlands in April.

"Most of them are not aware that we have been licensed here in the city of Redlands," Yourish said. "Before, we used to work in adjacent cities, but now we're based in Redlands and licensed in Redlands."

He said he wished he could expand his business.

"I was planning to add another driver, but now I see that at this price it is hard for me to make enough money to pay my bills," he said.

The steep rise in gas prices in the last six months hurts his business, he said.

"I pay ... $25 more than I used to pay six months ago," Yourish said.

Even though gas prices have risen, cab drivers can't afford to raise their fares because of competition, he said.

"Our prices are the same as before," Yourish said. "We
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don't have anything in mind on changing the prices.

"We only charge a little bit additional charge to what the meter reading is. Locally, we charge 50 cents in addition, but long distance it depends."