Chicago taxi strike no threat to suburbs

It may be harder to get a taxi in Chicago today, but the expected strike by some cab drivers downtown may not impact the suburbs.

Chicago cab drivers were being urged to not work today as part of a grassroots effort to put pressure on taxi company owners or city officials to provide relief from high gas prices. It remained unclear Monday whether the attempt would impact overall taxi service.

"I'm sure there will be some cab drivers (who strike) but I don't think it will be that many," said Dan Delleo, president of the Yellow Cab Affiliation, which operates 1,700 taxis in Chicago. "We do understand the cab drivers problems, but I certainly don't think this is the way to handle it."

Chicago cab drivers have been lobbying city officials for months to increase their regulated rates or allow a gas price surcharge on fares. Chicago leaders have been unresponsive.

Meanwhile, suburban cab companies are allowed to set their own rates in most towns, making it potentially easier to adjust fares to cover gas costs. Still, suburban cab users have the ability to call around for the best price, which tends to keep fares in check.

"(Cab drivers') money goes down when fuel prices go up," said Dan Coyne, manager of Arlington Heights-based A American Taxi, which runs about 900 suburban cabs. "But we have been able to adjust."

A American Taxi adds a $1 surcharge to flat rate rides to or from O'Hare International Airport when gas prices are between $3 and $4 a gallon. The surcharge rises to $2 when pump prices go higher.

But many cab drivers, who often pay a weekly rate to rent the vehicles from the taxi company, are still taking a financial hit in the suburbs. In A American Taxi's case, the flat rate surcharge does not apply to metered rides, which equal about 40 percent of the company's business.

Coyne said a band of about 30 cab drivers did strike under his company last month but "it didn't amount to much."

Palatine-based Taxi Azteca owner Jose Madera said he supports the move by some Chicago cab drivers to strike, but thinks his workers will stay on the job to support their families. He said the competitive suburban market won't tolerate a fare hike now.

"People call around to a lot of companies to see who is cheaper," Madera said. "They are always looking for the lowest prices and we have families to support. It is hurting us a lot."