Taxi fares in Shawano could increase

The city of Shawano’s taxi service could be raising its fares as the Shawano Common Council approved annual agreements Dec. 13 with the company running the service. The rates for City Cab are currently $4 within city boundaries and $3 for the elderly and handicapped, with an additional $1.25 per mile outside the city’s boundaries. According to Greg Smith, the city’s finance director, the rates have not been adjusted in at least a decade, but the cost of doing business has. He told the council that the cost per hour of operating City Cab was $25.82 in 2014. Now, it’s $32.95, and it’s expected to jump to $37.59 in the future. “Within 10 years, this cost has gone up quite significantly, over 40%,” Smith said. “We haven’t raised costs, as far as I can see, in over 10 years. So that’s something to consider with this rising cost.” About 57% of the costs are expected to be covered by a federal grant, Smith said, although that will not be finalized until April. That will be when it’s determined if the rates need to increase and by how much. “At that point, I’ll reach back out to you,” Smith told the council. “Right now, we’re just going through the application process. Being conservative in some of our numbers, I believe we should be OK, but once DOT (Department of Transportation) comes out with its final allocations, spreading out the state and federal dollars, we should know a little bit more.” The council approved a five-year contract with Running Inc., based in Viroqua. Running Inc. operates a number of transit services throughout Wisconsin, including Tomah, Beaver Dam and Stoughton. The contract requires a maximum of $443,712.36, based on 11,804 hours of service at the $37.59 rate. According to Smith, two companies submitted bids for the contract. The council also approved submitting an application to purchase a new handicap-accessible minivan for City Cab, with the city providing up to $10,000 in matching funds. Smith noted that the van being replaced will be put up for public auction to replenish the funds. “There are sufficient funds to cover that portion of the grant this year,” Smith said, who noted the total cost of the van could be around $75,000. The council also approved a resolution leasing the six current vehicles to Running Inc. lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com