Gas surcharge for Chicago taxis goes up to $1

The cost to take a taxicab ride in Chicago has gone up.

The city's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection says that stoday the taxicab fuel surcharge will increase to $1 from 50 cents per ride. The department says the $1 surcharge goes into effect when gas prices rise above $3.20 per gallon for seven consecutive business days.

The department says that as of Monday gas prices have been more than $3.20 for that long. Officials say the 50 cent surcharge has been in effect since October 2009, when gas prices were above $2.70. The department says taxicab passengers should see a yellow sign announcing the surcharge.