Edmonton’s taxi drivers have asked officials with the City of Edmonton to increase the cost of taking a cab.

The United Cabbies Association has asked the city for a 10 percent increase to taxi fares.

Currently, any ride in a taxi starts at $3.60, and 20 cents is added for every 135 metres in a trip.

Under the proposed fare increase, the meter starts at the same amount, but 20 cents would be added for each 125 metre stretch.

“Since 2008 there was no change, even though gas prices go up and down, basically they were over a dollar, and most of the time over $1.15 or so,” Balraj Manhas with the United Cabbies Association of Edmonton said. “Right now the fuel cost is too much.

“We have to work extra hours to feed our families, to make a living.”

In addition, Manhas said the high costs are leading to safety concerns, as many drivers are on the streets for twelve hours at a time, and sometimes finish a shift with only $50 in their pocket.

Right now, Edmonton has some of the cheapest taxi fares; the association said the change would put taxi rates in Edmonton in line with other major cities.

The next steps for the fuel increase are up to city officials, who will have to look over the application, and then make a recommendation to the city’s Executive Committee – before it goes to City Council.

The United Cabbies Association hopes to have a decision on the increase by the winter.

With files from Jeff Harrington