Board of Selectmen approve taxi fare rate increase
BY PETER A. SUTTERS JR. INDEPENDENT WRITER
As of July 1, it will cost an additional $1 to hire a taxi anywhere on the island and should the driver wait, add $1 a minute. The Board of Selectmen voted to raise taxi rates last week at the request of the Nantucket Taxi Owners Association, despite Nantucket Police Chief William Pittman's concerns about measuring time and distance without a state certified metering device.

In his comments to the board, Pittman said local regulations were in conflict with state law.

In a phone interview following the meeting, Pittman stopped short of saying the board had approved something illegal, but said the fare structure puts a burden on his officers.

"I don't think it's illegal per se from the board," said Pittman.

According to Pittman, Massachusetts General Law requires cab drivers, who charge by the mile or the minute, to use a state certified metering device.

Since Nantucket cabs do not have meters, it is difficult to measure time and distance.

"There is no way for them to prove they waited for ten minutes," said Pittman.

If a customer refused to pay their fare and the taxi driver called the police to file a theft of service charge, the situation would devolve into one side's word against the other.

"If they had a meter, there would be conclusive proof," said Pittman. "The officers would have probable cause to arrest. But with no meter, there is no proof and if the officer made an arrest, with no proof, it couldn't stand up in court. And, then we're putting the town at risk for making false arrest."

The board put in a sunset clause for the $1 per minute waiting charge, which would expire at the end of October.

This is not the first time the meter issue was raised. Last year, when waiting time was raised to $.75 a minute, members of the taxi association told the Board of Selectmen they would pursue putting meters in their taxis.

Jon St. Laurent, president of the taxi association, linked the fare increases to the rising cost of fuel.

St. Laurent said the taxi association met several times over the past month before deciding to ask the town for a fare increase.

"As time went on, we applied to get on the agenda right when gas was $4 a gallon," said St. Laurent. "What we're basically trying to do is ask for increases in certain areas."

Gas prices are more than $4.50 a gallon.

While gas prices are on the rise, it is the driver who pays for the gas, not the owner of the taxi.

Taxi drivers are paid 50 percent of the fare, plus tip. Adriver is responsible for filling his or her gas tank at the end of the shift.

While the taxi owner receives 50 percent of the fare, the driver bears the full brunt of increasing gas prices.

At the current rates, a driver will gross $9.50, plus a possible tip, on a $19 fare from town to Tom Nevers. The additional $.50 the driver receives from the rate hike, will not offset the 12 mile round trip, yet the owner will pocket the additional half dollar.

A number of taxi drivers questioned the new fares, but were not willing to go on the record.

One driver said all of her tips pay for gas and any future increases at the gas pump, will cut into her fares.

One taxi owner acknowledged a driver might make $50 for an entire shift on a slow day, which is barely enough money to fill the gas tank.

St. Laurent did not return multiple calls for comment prior to and following

Wednesday's meeting. I