Local Taxi Service To Keep Going

February 20, 2012

The owner of the lone taxi company serving Trail and Castlegar is happy to see a rate increase granted by the Transportation Board.

John Foglia's Champion Cabs and Castlegar Taxi operations have been approved for a rate hike including a regular fare increase of 22%. He had announced earlier this year that taxi service would cease operations at the end of the month if his appeal for a fre hike was unsuccessful.

Foglia says lost income had forced him to reduce his fleet and he was unable to afford insurance costs on some vehicles. He says he'll examine any increase in revenue over the coming months and hopes to be able to recruit and pay drivers more than the minimum wage.

The increased passenger fares were put into effect Friday -- the regular rate now stands at $43 dollars an hour.