BY KARL VILACOBA
Staff Writer
BRICK — After more than 20 years without a hike, cab fares could rise in Brick for the second time since May 25.
An ordinance introduced by the Township Council July 13 would allow cab companies to charge a $5 base fare plus $1.50 per mile, or a $6.50 minimum fare regardless of the distance traveled, from the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Under the spring ordinance, cabs could charge $3 plus $1.50 per mile, and $3.50 regardless of distance traveled.
From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., the new ordinance would allow cabs to charge $9 regardless of the distance traveled, up from $6. The $6 base fare plus $3 per mile rate adopted in May would remain unchanged.
The ordinance also calls for a $1.50 waiting charge for every five minutes after the first five, up from 75 cents per minute after the first five minutes.
The council’s spring ordinance carried a number of strict demands for cab companies to put better-conditioned cars and safer drivers on the road. Among those regulations, companies had to purchase and display medallions in each vehicle, subject drivers to criminal background checks, paint their cars an assigned color, and plainly mark them as cabs. In the past, officials said some companies avoided certain regulations by calling their vehicles limousines and others used unmarked cars and medical transport vehicles for business.
"We tried to tighten up some of those loopholes," council President Stephen Acropolis said. "It was a safety issue first."
The first fare hikes since 1983 were granted to help the companies finance these upgrades. But cab owners contended at the time that the township’s new fees would make it difficult to pay for new cars, particularly when combined with rising gasoline prices and business expenses. Council members said they would consider revisiting the fare issue.
Last week, Councilman Gregory Kavanagh said the time was too soon.
"The rate we gave them was the rate we all agreed on. Now they’re coming back a month later saying they want more," Kavanagh said. "Don’t be surprised if they come back again."
In a related matter, Councilman Frederick Underwood said raising the reduced fares demanded for senior citizens may be necessary to guard them from poor service. The $2 pickup fee plus $1 per mile fare from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for seniors would not be altered by the new ordinance. Underwood said seniors have told him cabs take more time to arrive, or don’t come at all, because the trips are worth less money.
The council is expected to cast a final vote on the ordinance at its July 27 meeting.