ATTACHMENT Q
TAXI RATES
City Council establishes the maximum rates that local taxicab franchisees can charge their customers per SMMC 6.49. Local taxicab rates have remained unchanged since 2011, while the consumer price index has increased by 31 percent. The sole taxi franchisee currently in operation in Santa Monica has requested that rates be increased to maintain their economic viability. Staff is proposing the following increases to the existing rates:
Base (or “Flag Drop”) fee increased from $2.85 to $3.50 Each 1/9th of a mile fee increased from $0.30 to $0.40 Each 37 seconds of waiting time fee increased from $0.30 to $0.40 Flat rate to LAX
o From North of I-10 increased from $35 to $45
o From South of I-10 increased from $30 to $40
Flat rate to Hollywood Burbank Airport (formerly Bob Hope Airport) increased from $75 to $95 The following table compares existing and proposed local rates to peer cities. The City of Los Angeles recently implemented an emergency interim increase of 10% to their taxicab rates while working to establish higher new rates.
Year
Established
Base Fee
(Flag Drop)
Each Additional
Mile1
Waiting Time Per
Hour 2
LAX Flat Rate BUR Flat Rate
Santa Monica
(Existing) 2011 $2.85 $2.70 $29.19 North of I-10: $35 South of I-10: $30 $75
Santa Monica
(Proposed) 2022 $3.50 $3.60 $38.92 North of I-10: $45 South of I-10: $40 $95
Los Angeles
(Prior to
Emergency
Increase of
10%)
2011 $2.85 $2.70 $29.19 N/A N/A
Los Angeles
(After
Emergency
Increase of
10%)
2022 $3.10 $2.97 $32.10 N/A N/A
Long Beach ? $2.85 $2.70 $29.19 $60 $105
Beverly Hills 2007 $2.45 $2.45 $26.52 $38 N/A
San Diego 2015 $3.10 $3.30 $27.00 N/A N/A
Seattle ? $2.50 $2.70 $30.00 N/A N/A
Notes:
1 Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Seattle charge at a rate of 1/9 of a mile. Beverly Hills charges at a rate of 1/7 of a mile.
2 Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and Long Beach charge rate per each 37 seconds. Beverly Hills charges per each 47.5 seconds. Seattle charges per each 36 seconds.