Taxi Cabs Feeling Pain At The Pump

7/4/2008

Rising gas prices are forcing drivers to find other means of transportation including busses, bikes, and carpools. What about hailing a cab?

Many area taxicab companies and drivers say they are taking a hit from the fuel costs. Most of them have raised their rates, making the falling demand for cabs even worse.

Tim Cox, the owner of Akron Canton Taxi Co., says the high fuel costs have cut into business and driven people away from taking taxis and airport taxis. This decline in business is a direct result of the rate increases the company has had to apply to cover the painful gas prices.
Tim Cox discuss gas prices effects on his company


On the other hand, Derek McClenathen, President of City Yellow Cab, says gas price hikes haven't led to rate raises which, unlike his counterparts, has caused an incline in business. McClenathan said that they have not had to increase rates in over a year and his taxi company, like busses, serves as an alternate mode of transportation.
Derek McClenathen talk about rising gas prices


Although McClenathen has managed to keep his costs down, drivers seem to be taking the biggest hit with the gas prices. Simeon Turpin is a courier driver at Imagine That Transportation LLC and says gas prices aren't the only thing affecting how much he is making. The upkeep on his car is proving to be just as expensive as the gasoline. Since the price of oil has gone up, maintenance work costs much more.
Simeon Turpin tell how gas prices are effecting drivers


The effects of the raising gas prices seem to be affecting both consumers and the taxi companies, because as gas costs go up, so does the price of transportation. Tim Cox says that most taxi companies are being left without a choice, but to raise rates. Otherwise, they would be losing money.