Saturday, March 12, 2005

High gas prices are hitting consumer pocketbooks once again, this time when they hail a taxi.

Yellow Cab Co. rates rose Tuesday from $1.25 to $1.85 a mile. In-town meter fees remained the same, but county meter fees rose from $2.75 to $5.

Yellow Cab Co. did not return repeat phone calls for comment on the rate increase, but similar service providers are watching fuel prices closely.

I was relieved to hear they were making a move, said Dan Spears of Franklin Taxi. With costs going up 25 percent, well have to look at that as a factor.

My fuel and insurance cost is double my employee cost, he added. Usually employee costs are a business major expense.

Spears said he has not raised his rates yet.

Its inevitable, he said. We have not picked out the date.

Fuel costs are squeezing everyone, he said.

Everyone is tied to energy, he said. At this point there is nowhere else to absorb those costs except the consumer.

Spears said his prices are set by his market.

Really and truly, my pricing is based on Yellow Cabs prices, he said. And their pricing is based on fuel being $1.32 a gallon. Thats 2-year-old prices. So were gonna have to go up.

Another option for commuters is Bowling Green Public Transit. Donna Tooley is director of transportation for Community Action of Southern Kentucky, which contracts with the city of Bowling Green to operate Bowling Green Public Transit.

We operate a number of transportation services in the (Barren River Area Development District) area, Tooley said. We will continue to monitor the price of fuel. We are always looking for methods to increase our efficiency.

Bowling Green Public Transit also offers other shuttle services, wheelchair accessibility and special needs services. Route information schedules are available in English, Spanish and Bosnian.

The gas price hike will not immediately affect Bowling Green Public Transit, Tooley said.

All our services will continue exactly the way they have been, she said. And were in the development stage of a planned growth to move from a three-route system to a four-route system.

Stops include The Medical Center, Greenwood Mall, Greenview Hospital, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Kroger, downtown Bowling Green, the Barren River District Health Department, shopping centers, doctors offices, various workplaces, and many other destinations. The new Express Shuttle expands the operating hours and service area of Bowling Green Public Transit, with stops throughout the area to Campbell Lane, Greenwood Mall, Greenwood Lane and the Corporate Court on Scottsville Road, according to the organizations Web site.

Express Shuttle runs from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fares are $1 and transfers to the regular route system are free.

Tooley said commuters should consider public transit as an affordable alternative.

She said public transit is waiting to serve more customers.

Wed be glad to answer any questions they have about accessing public transit, she said. Our slogan is, Your ride is here!

For a detailed rate listing and ride availability, call the dispatch office at (270) 782-3162 or visit www.casoky.org.  Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700