THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008

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Rosemont Helps Taxi Drivers With Gas Costs

The Rosemont Village Board approved a measure to provide relief to village cabbies through a fuel surcharge that will go directly into the pockets of drivers.

At their Wednesday, May 7 meeting, the board approved a taxi surcharge, similar to one instituted in the City of Chicago.

When gas prices average between $2.70 a gallon and $3.19 a gallon for more than seven days cab drivers would charge an additional $0.50 per ride. When gas prices rise above $3.20 a gallon for more than a week, the surcharge would be $1 per ride. The rules exempt Rosemont residents traveling within the village. Rosemont cab drivers will be able to begin charging the new surcharge this Friday, May 16.

"I think it should help for now," said Jay Paradise, manager for Horizon Taxi Company. "If it gets to $7 or $8 that's another thing, but it's good for $4."

Paradise said none of his drivers has quit because of the high price of gas, but some were grumbling that they might not be able to afford to continue driving if gas prices continue to their meteoric rise.

Paradise said the cost of filling a tank has risen in recent months from $30 to $50.

According to Chicago Gas Prices.com and Gas Buddy, the average price of a gallon of gas has risen from $3.09 to $3.84 a gallon in just the last three months.

Prices in Rosemont ran at $3.89 a gallon but ranged from $3.77 a gallon in Skokie to $3.99 a gallon in Mt. Prospect last Wednesday (May 7).