Hitching a ride in a Philly cab is going to cost a bit more starting midnight Thursday.
And the fare hike came with little warning.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority announced early Thursday evening that a $1 fuel surcharge would be added per ride effective almost immediately.
Right in time for summer the PPA’s board -- which oversees cabs in the city -- approved the hike.
"The PPA responded to calls from cab drivers who requested the temporary fuel surcharge to help them deal with the escalating price of gas," PPA Executive Director Vince Fenerty said in a released e-miled to the press just before 6 p.m.
"The surge in fuel prices has placed a tremendous burden on taxicab drivers because they are generally responsible for buying their own gasoline. While nobody likes to impose any kind of surcharge, the Board felt it was necessary and appropriate in the face of escalating fuel costs that have been steadily increasing over the past several months," Fenerty said.
The surcharge will remain in place for 90 days, a.k.a. the rest of summer.
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