Oct 23, 2007 6:29 pm US/Central
City Denies Cab Drivers' Request For Rate Hike
Taxi Drivers Were Pushing For 25 Percent Increase In Fares Due To Increasing Fuel Prices
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Cab driver Sayed Ilyas says he has to work increasingly long hours to support his family.
CBS
Taxi fares are not going up, at least for now. The City of Chicago turned down a request by some drivers to raise rates by up to 25 percent.
As CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports, that's bringing a big sigh of relief from consumers, but cab drivers' frustrations are riding high.
"Everybody has to work some extra hours because of the bad economy," said taxi driver Sayed Ilyas.
Ilyas is a father of three who says the higher gas prices have him working 14 hour days to take care of his family.
"I haven't visited school in the last three and a half years," Ilyas said. "I don't know what the high school of my two elder kids looks like from inside."
"As a father I would like to see my kids play and take part in their lives," he added.
The thoughts make him tear up, but other drivers tell similar stories of long hours and shrinking pay.
"I don't get enough sleep; I don't get enough rest," said driver Peter Enger. "Technically I can be in the taxi 84 hours, which is an insane work schedule."
In 2005 the city approved a 12 percent fare hike for cabs; now drivers are requesting another 25 percent. At a hearing Tuesday the Department of Consumer Services acknowledged the pinch but recommended against the fare hike.
"Our response should be measured and should be something that takes into consideration the consumer," said Consumer Services Commissioner Norma Reyes.
The city estimates the average cab driver spends 11 hours a day behind the wheel, and in the past two years the fluctuating cost of gas increased by only 9.5 percent. As a compromise the city is studying a fluctuating fuel surcharge that would rise and fall with gas prices, relief drivers like Ilyas hope comes just around the bend.
The city says driver expenses are also eaten up by the weekly fees to lease a taxi, which run upwards of $475, an amount that's remained constant for several years.
"You can call me frustrated because my business does not allow me to get mad," Ilyas said.
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