June 28, 2012|By Mick Swasko, RedEye
While a vomit clean-up fee is the most eye-catching change under a new ordinance going into effect Sunday, there are a few more differences riders will notice. Some cabbies are unhappy with the changes, which include increases to their costs but no corresponding increases to their rate of fares. Drivers have been seeking a fare increase for years.
Here's a rundown:
Costlier flag-pull: Say goodbye to the $1 gas surcharge and hello to an additional $1 charge for getting in a cab. The gas surcharge was folded into the flag-pull (the flat fee you pay for hailing a cab) and made permanent, bringing the total cost for entering a cab to $3.25.
New placards: All cabs will have new placards listing the vomit fee, as well as the other changes that have been implemented. They should be in place in cabs by Sunday.
Cleaner and greener: The ordinance also raises some of the leasing prices allowed on certain types of vehicles. What does that mean for riders? Because the leasing encourages handicapped-accessible vehicles as well as hybrid and natural gas cabs, riders could see newer, cleaner cars on the street. In anticipation of the new rules, the city already has seen companies ditching older cars and springing for the more fuel efficient options.
mswasko@tribune.com | @mickswasko
