Fare Freakout? Short Taxi Rides from San Jose Int'l Airport to Cost More

Wait time was increased by $5 per hour to $30, and a flat rate of $1.50 was added to any trip to the Mineta San Jose International Airport.

Taxi rides from the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport that are less than three miles will now cost $15 after the City Council voted Tuesday to approve a resolution.

The initial problem that led to the resolution was the fact that taxi drivers wait in long lines to pick up customers at the airport, and then loose money if the rider is only a short distance away. This often led to reduced customer service, according to the city.

Council member Pierluigi Oliverio was the only dissenting vote to the resolution today.

Because the rate is a minimum fare, as soon as the taxi ride exceeds three miles, the fare is calculated into normal rates, according to the City Council.

The increase was proposed by council members in August when the council voted to raise the base fare for taxi drivers in response to rising gas prices.

Also passed today was an ordinance amending the city's Municipal Code so that the Director of Transportation can adjust taxi rates and surcharges without the City Council having to approve the changes.

However, before adjusting rates those numbers and changes must be posted online for 30 days for public comments.

The bill passed in August raised the base taxi fare from $2 to $3.50, and each tenth of a mile after that will cost riders 30 cents instead of 25 cents, according to the council.

Wait time was increased by $5 per hour to $30, and a flat rate of $1.50 was added to any trip to the Mineta San Jose International Airport.

If at any point gasoline reaches at least $4.50 per gallon, cab drivers will add 50 cents to each fare to cover the rising cost of fuel. An additional 50 cents will be charged when fuel costs hit $5, $5.50 and $6 per gallon.

Contact Us