Surcharges & Tolls

Intro

This web page has information about surcharges and tolls that may be added to the rates that are charged by taxis, limousines, shuttles and small vans. These passenger directed vehicles can carry a driver and no more than 11 passengers. 

PDV Fuel Surcharges (excluding taxis)

When fuel prices are higher than normal, limousines, shuttles and other passenger directed vehicles (PDVs) may add a fuel surcharge to the transportation fees that passengers pay. 

The Passenger Transportation Board monitors fuel prices in five British Columbia cities on a weekly basis.  For the week ending May 22, 2012, the weighted fuel price average was $1.392.  The Board uses an average price of regular, unleaded gas that is weighted geographically to reflect the distribution of limousines in the province.

Based on the average price for a week, the Board may adjust the maximum surcharge that passengers may be charged.  Updates are posted Wednesday afternoon on this web page.  Any changes to the surcharge take effect the following Sunday.  An up-to-date history of allowable fuel surcharges is posted below.  

PDV Fuel Surcharges 2012
Dates (2012) Maximum Fuel Surcharge
January 1 – February 28 0.0%
February 29 – March 10 3.5%
March 11 – March 24 2.5%
March 25 - April 14 3.5%
April 15 - April 21 3.0%
April 22 - April 28 3.5%
April 29 - May 19 3.0%
May 20 - May 26 4.0%
From May 27 3.5%
PDV Fuel Surcharges 2011
Dates (2011) Maximum Fuel Surcharge
January 1 – May 14 0% (Surcharge Rule Not In Effect)
May 15 - May 28 3.0%
May 29 - June 4 2.5%
June 5 - June 11 3.0%
June 12 - July 2 2.5%
July 3 - July 9 2.0%
July 10 - July 16 2.5%
July 17 - July 23 2.0%
July 24 - July 30 2.5%
July 31 - August 13 2.0%
August 14 - August 20 0.0%
August 21 - August 27 2.0%
August 28 - September 3 2.0%
September 4 - November 5 2.5%
November 6 - November 12 2.0%
November 13 - November 19 2.5%
November 20 - November 27 2.0%
November 28 - December 31 0.0%

Licensees may apply a surcharge up to the posted maximum fuel surcharge.  Surcharges must be applied in accordance with the Board PDV Fuel Surcharge Rule. For example, a licensee may only charge a surcharge when clients are advised in advance that a fuel surcharge may be applied to their transportation fees. 

Maximum fuel surcharges change as fuel prices change. See the PDV Fuel Surcharge Table (below) for details.

PDV Fuel Surcharge Table
Limo Weighted
Average Fuel Price		 Maximum
Surcharge
$1.127 no surcharge
$1.165 no surcharge
$1.202 no surcharge
$1.240 no surcharge
$1.277 no surcharge
$1.296 2.0%
$1.315 2.5%
$1.352 3.0%
$1.390 3.5%
$1.428 4.0%
$1.465 4.5%
$1.503 5.0%
$1.540 5.5%
$1.578 6.0%
$1.615 6.5%
$1.653 7.0%

About the PDV Fuel Surcharge

Taxi Fuel Surcharges

The Board reviews taxi rates every year. It uses a “Taxi Cost Index” (TCI) to see if taxi rates should be increased. Fuel prices are considered in the TCI calculations.  The TCI is an effective way for the Board to assess rate increases. However, the TCI is based on data from a previous year. It is not a tool for making rate adjustments due to cost increases, such a fuel prices.

When will the Board look at fuel surcharges for taxis?

The Board will look at fuel surcharges for taxis when the price of unleaded gas is 25% more than it was for the last TCI. This is the threshold. Fuel prices will be based on the average price of unleaded gas for 5 cities in B.C. These prices are posted each week by MJ Ervin & Associates at http://www.kentmarketingservices.com/dnn/PetroleumPriceData.aspx

If the threshold is reached, the Board will consider:

  • whether it will approve a fuel surcharge,
  • when a fuel surcharge would start, and
  • what the amount of a surcharge should be.  

The Board may consider the following factors before approving a fuel surcharge:

  • the timing of the last TCI increase and potential timing for a future TCI increase
  • types of fuel used by taxis
  • the percentage of fuel costs incurred relative to overall operating costs
  • fuel price fluctuations over time, trends  or other data
  • impacts on the industry as well as the public

What is the current threshold for considering a fuel surcharge?

The annual average unleaded gas prices for the 2010 TCI was $1.081. The review threshold will be reached when fuel prices are $1.351. This is the point when the Board will consider whether or not a fuel surcharge should be implemented. 

How long will a surcharge be in effect?

Fuel surcharges are temporary. The Board will monitor fuel prices regularly to identify long term trends. If prices rise or decrease for a sustained period of time, the Board may direct a change to the fuel surcharge.

Why aren’t fuel surcharges more responsive to fuel price changes?

Most taxi operators in British Columbia charge metered rates. If metered rates change, the taxi meters must be re-programmed. This costs operators in terms of both time and money. The Board seeks to minimize the number of meter changes taxi operators are required to make.

The Board recognizes the need to address consistent and sustained rises in fuel prices. The Board must also consider the impact of rate increases on the public. Operators should be encouraged to implement measures to reduce fuel costs. These include such things as reducing speed, less idling of the motor, maintaining the vehicle or using eco-friendly vehicles.

Taxi Fuel Surcharges

No fuel surcharges are in effect for taxis in British Columbia. 

Bridge Tolls

The Golden Ears Bridge links Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge to Langley, Surrey and beyond. Tolls apply to each trip across the bridge, in either direction. The Board has established two rules respecting the toll rate that operators may charge a passenger who hires transportation which includes crossing the Golden Ears Bridge.

One rule sets what a taxi operator may charge and under what conditions. The other rule requires that any passenger directed vehicle that charges individual fares must not charge a passenger for crossing the Golden Ears Bridge.

Taxi Camera Surcharges

No taxi camera surcharges are in effect in British Columbia. 

More info about rates