St. Paul mulls taxi fare increase

St. Paul is considering a 55-cent-a-mile increase in taxi fares.

Cab fares in the city are currently capped at $2.20 a mile. The increase would bring the city in line with Minneapolis and the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which each cap fares at $2.75 cents a mile.

St. Paul would also join them in having some of the highest taxi fares in the country. Data collected by the city of Minneapolis show only two U.S. cities — Boston and Honolulu — have higher maximum cab fares. Cab companies wouldn't be required to raise prices if the changes go through, but they'd be allowed to do so.

St. Paul hasn't authorized a fare hike since 2008, and the city's Department of Safety and Inspections says fuel and insurance costs have both risen since then.

The proposed increase will likely go before the City Council next month. There are 325 taxicabs operated by 18 companies licensed to pick up passengers in St. Paul.