TORONTO – Travelling around town got slightly cheaper Sunday.
Starting Nov. 1, Toronto taxis drop their base fare by $1, meaning your ride starts at $3.25 instead of the previous $4.25.
“Toronto should have a competitive taxicab industry that serves both the public and drivers well,” Mayor John Tory said in a statement.
“This will make moving around the city more affordable for the public, and it will help the traditional taxicab industry compete.”
City council approved the new rate reduction last month to help level the playing field as traditional taxi companies compete with ride-hailing service Uber. It raised the rate from $3 to $4 back in 2008 in response to skyrocketing gas prices that surged above $1.30 per litre.
A spokesperson for Beck taxi applauded the move to make taxis more competitive, even though it could have a negative financial impact on the drivers themselves.
“We are pleased city councillors decided that Toronto’s taxi service will be able to offer our riders a reduced fare beginning Sunday,” Beck operations manager Kristine Hubbard said in statement.
“While this is a good day for our valuable riders, Beck would be remiss not to highlight this fare break comes out of the pockets of Toronto’s hard working taxi drivers, who are still being forced to compete against black market providers who continue to ignore our city’s bylaws.”
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