Press Release

HARRISBURG- The Public Utility Commission (PUC) today allowed Yellow Cab of Pittsburgh to increase fares 80 cents for a typical three-mile trip in Allegheny, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.

The company will increase taxicab fares from $1.80 to $2 for the first one-seventh of a mile and from 20 cents to 23 cents for each additional one-seventh of a mile. Overall, the first mile will increase from $3 to $3.38, and the second mile will increase from $1.40 to $1.61. A three-mile trip will cost $6.60 from $5.80.

Yellow Cab has established an airport departure surcharge of $1 and a $1 surcharge for all trips on Sundays and holidays.

The proposed increase will go into effect Jan. 4, 2002, once the company files a tariff with the PUC with the proposed alternative rate structure.

If the company fails to file a new tariff, the case will be suspended for up to seven months from its Dec. 20 proposed effective date, and assigned to a PUC administrative law judge for a recommended decision or settlement. The recommended decision or settlement then will be sent to the Commissioners to make the final decision in a public meeting in Harrisburg.

The company said that the fare increase is necessary to attract and retain drivers. Each driver keeps all fares and tips but must purchase fuel and lease the vehicles from Yellow Cab. The increase will generate an additional $2.1 million (13.8 percent) in revenue.

The company’s last rate increase was July 10, 1992.