Salt Lake City Council OKs cab rates

Salt Lake City taxi cab rates are going up.

The City Council on Tuesday approved a measure that will allow the city's three existing cab companies — Yellow Cab, City Cab and Ute Cab — to raise their minimum rates.

The rates, which haven't been raised for eight years, were boosted to help cab companies survive as gas and insurance prices climb higher and higher.

Councilman Dave Buhler implored the cab companies to pass on the increases to cab drivers.

"It would be my hope and intent that all of this increase go to the drivers," he said.

Council members told cab company owners that they still plan on moving forward with a complete overhaul of the city's cab system — an overhaul that could open up the market to greater competition.

The initial charge or "flag drop" was increased from $1.60 to $2. The per-mile charge was boosted from $1.60 to $1.80 and the minimum airport charge was raised from $10 to $12.