$1 Emergency Fuel Surcharge Added To Taxicab Fares In Prince George's County

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Officials in Prince George’s County have authorized a $1 emergency fuel surcharge for taxicab fares in the county for a 120-day period. The emergency fuel surcharge took effect June 22.

According to county official, the surcharge is needed to counterbalance the "recent dramatic rise in fuel prices throughout the United States and the D.C metro region, which has had a difficult impact on the transportation industry."

Both Uber and Lyft introduced a fuel surcharge in March.

“The soaring cost of fuel is almost doubling the cost to operate a taxi. There is no escape or shortcut, as fuel is a core business expense. As the cost goes up, it easily eats away at their daily take-home income,” Floyd E. Holt, deputy chief administrative officer for the county, said. “We hope this measure of the added temporary surcharge will ease that stress.”

There will be exceptions to the surcharge, officials noted. It will not be charged to anyone who is 60 years and older or people with disabilities. The $1 surcharge will expire Oct. 22 unless extended or terminated before that date, the county noted.

Some surrounding jurisdictions have already imposed additional surcharges on taxicab trips, including Anne Arundel County, Annapolis and the District of Columbia.