$2 Taxi Surcharge To Be Considered Through Late 2022 In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A higher fuel surcharge for taxicab trips over six months will be considered by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors later in June.

On Tuesday, the board voted to set a public hearing for 4 p.m. on June 28 to consider a surcharge up to $2 per trip. The current emergency ordinance for a $1 surcharge per trip expires on June 11. If approved by the board, the $2 surcharge would be in effect from June 29 through December 29.

The board previously approved the $1 fuel surcharge from April 13 to June 11 in response to a request from the taxicab industry. Old Dominion Transportation Group, Inc. which runs about 130 of the 150 taxicabs in the county, cited increased gas costs that taxicab drivers absorb as a non-reimbursed expense. Taxicab rates are based on the gas price of $3.66 per gallon from July 2014, which means recent higher gas costs are absorbed by drivers.

According to board documents, the current $1 surcharge only covers a gas price increase up to $4.30 per gallon. The average price of gas in Fairfax County as of Wednesday is $5.02, AAA data shows.

"Staff will continue to monitor gasoline prices during the next several months and may seek continued relief if prices remain high," Board of Supervisors documents state. "Similarly, staff may recommend that the proposed emergency surcharge be rescinded prior to December 29, 2022, if prices fall significantly."

Per board documents, the county and school district contract with taxicab companies to provide special needs transportation.

Neighboring localities that have also approved surcharges include $1 in Prince William County on March 15 for 60 days, $1 in Washington, DC on March 16 for 120 days, $1 in the City of Alexandria on March 31 for one year and $1 in Arlington County on May 14 for six months.

The surcharge does not apply to rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, which set their own surcharges.

Residents may sign up to testify at the June 28 public hearing.