Changes will be coming to taxicab rates and charges in Fairfax County.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a staff recommendation to permanently increase rates for the first time in a decade during a meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 10).
In February, Red Top Cab, owned and operated by Old Dominion Transportation Group, filed a petition requesting an increase to the base rate, subsequent mileage rates and wait time rates, according to Amanda Kastl, consumer services director for the county’s Department of Cable and Consumer Services (DCCS).
According to a county staff report, the increases are as follows:
- From $3.50 to $4 for the first one-sixth of a mile or less
- An additional 40 cents for each subsequent one-sixth of a mile, up from 36 cents
- 40 cents for every 61 seconds of waiting time, which is also up from 36 cents
The Board can consider taxicab rate or fare changes on an annual basis, but the last permanent change in taxicab rates came in October 2014, when the board adopted a 7.7% increase, per county documents.
As of Aug. 14, the American Automobile Association reported that the cost of gas was $3.55 per gallon — the exact same price reported in 2014, according to county staff.
However, wage, vehicle, fuel, insurance and maintenance costs have all gone up since the last permanent rate increase, as calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“DCCS’s director conducted an analysis and determined that the proposed taxi cab rate increase was justified to further consider the impact on consumers,” Kastl said. “The Consumer Protection Commission held a public hearing on May 21 and the CPC voted to recommend that the Board approve the proposed amendments.”
When gas prices soared in early 2022 due to supply chain issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the board approved several emergency fuel surcharges to help the taxi industry. The most recent surcharge expired on June 30, 2023, Kastl said.
In 2022, taxis served over 385,000 passengers, including 1,522 wheelchair-accessible trips, according to county staff. The county’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services utilizes taxis for its Transportation, Options, Programs & Services (TOPS) program, which provides subsidized transportation to eligible older adults, people with disabilities and low-income individuals.
During the public hearing portion of Tuesday’s meeting, Robert Whitfield, a representative with the Fairfax County Taxpayer Alliance, said he was not opposed to the rate increase but complained about the reliability of taxicab services.
“I think we need to enhance the regulations that govern the service provided,” Whitfield said.
Kyle Summers, chief operating officer of Old Dominion Transportation Group, Inc, apologized to Whitfield for his “poor experience” and highlighted the shortage of drivers.
“It is very hard to have enough drivers on the road, but it is something we’re working on, and all the participants in this industry are really fighting to get the drivers to come to them and service the work,” Summers said.
Summers supported the rate increase and said the money will go to the drivers.
“All the money for this increase goes to them,” he said. “Nothing is taken from the company. We do believe that this will attract drivers to invest more into their cars, and then also attract them to drive in Fairfax County.”
According to county documents, the rate increases — which went into effect with the board’s vote — will raise the average trip charge from $20.78 to $23.20, putting Fairfax County above D.C. and Arlington and Montgomery counties but below Prince William County and Alexandria City.
Fairfax County has three taxi companies authorized by DCCS to operate a total of 654 vehicles.
Screenshot via Google Maps
