TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Grabbing a cab home after work is about to get a lot more expensive in northern Taiwan as fares are set to rise next year.
Taxi base fares will increase from NT＄70 to NT＄85 in Taipei, New Taipei, and Keelung City starting on April 1, 2023. The Taipei City Public Transportation Office added that the meter will add NT＄5 every minute instead of every 80 seconds like before.
In fact, it's been a long time coming, and the taxi union put forth a similar proposal in March and November this year. They pointed out that rising fuel costs, inflation, and the COVID-19 pandemic had affected their profit margins in the past few years.
The union has also expressed hope for a surcharge of NT＄50 per ride for cab drivers working on typhoon days.
After much discussion within the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and union representatives, officials reached a consensus in early December.
The Taipei City Public Transportation Office added that a surcharge of NT＄30 per taxi ride will be present during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday between Jan. 17 and Jan. 29.
Today, the average gross monthly income of taxi drivers in Taiwan falls around NT＄41,000, about NT＄4,000 less than in 2019. Many drivers said they cannot make ends meet anymore amid the rising costs of living.
As the number of taxis in Taiwan dwindles due to fierce competition from other platforms, such as Uber, the government may need to do more to ensure their survival.
Authorities also need to take into account that users might also think twice before taking a cab if they decide to hike the prices again in the near future.
