By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
After weighing several issues — including a small decrease in state and federal funding — Whitewater officials have set in motion plans to increase fares for the taxicab service in 2017.
The Common Council On Dec. 6 adopted a plan to essentially increase each fare by 25 cents. The rate change is designed to address a change in the state and federal funding, which dipped from 57.29 percent of the ride-share program’s overall budget to 56 percent in the year ahead.
With the council’s stamp of approval on the plan, the new rates in 2017 are as follows:
- Regular Adult Fare: $3.25 (was $3 in 2016);
- Elderly/Disabled: $2.25 (from $2 in 2016);
- Student: $2.25 (from $2 in 2016);
- Rides after 9 p.m.: $3.25 (from a variable rate structure in 2016);
- Per-mile, outside the city: $2 (from $1.75 in 2016);
- Delivery: $4.25 (from $4 in 2016).
Finance Director Doug Saubert has been working on the amended rate structure with representatives of the city’s contractor, Fort Atkinson-based Brown Cab Service Inc.
Although Brown Cab’s service is open to anyone in the community, the amenity has been touted as a benefit to persons without their own means of transportation. Targeted population groups include students, seniors and persons with disabilities.
Discussions of increasing fares began in October. At the time, Saubert had suggested implementing a flat late night fare rate of $4 per person on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 10 p.m.
But University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students, who are the frequent users of the late night service, faced the prospect of a sizable increase under that proposal. Under the existing variable rate structure, the group has been paying $2.25 per person.
The flat $3.25 per person plan in 2017 for late night fares means the rate students pay will increase $1 per person, rather than $1.75 per person under the initial plan.
During last week’s deliberations, council member Stephanie Goettl said she was pleased to see the amended rate for college students.
“This keeps it more equitable,” Goettl said. “It’s makes it more reasonable and reduces the chances of drunk driving.”
Council member Lynn Binnie, who spoke of his belief in the importance of the service, offered a similar sentiment.
“I appreciate the reworking of the fare,” Binnie said. ‘I think it’s a good solution.”
Brown Cab’s service fluctuates, depending upon when the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is in session.
When students are on campus and classes are held, the service is available from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
When classes are not in session, Brown Cab runs fares from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Throughout the year, the service also is available Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., regardless of whether UW-Whitewater is in session.
In keeping with the terms of the public-private partnership, the city has a longstanding practice of contributing funds toward the service. In 2017, the city will chip in an additional $340 out of its operating budget.
This year, Whitewater contributed $8,154; next year’s funding allocation has been set at $8,494.
