press release:

City of Seattle officials announced today a temporary suspension of the $32 flat rate from the downtown hotel district to Sea-Tac Airport during the Viaduct closure, planned for 7:30 p.m., Oct. 21, to 5 a.m., Oct. 31. Fares will instead be computed by the taximeters to ensure cab drivers are fairly compensated for what are expected to be longer trips due to traffic delays. Fares are expected to be $40 or more depending on traffic delays. The flat rate will be reinstated when the Viaduct reopens.

Traffic delays have a direct impact on fares because when taxicabs operate at speeds slower than 15 miles per hour, taximeters use a 50 cents per minute time charge, instead of the $2.50 per mile distance charge.

With the Viaduct closure, the time charge will increase due to traffic delays.

The current taximeter rate is $2.50 for the first 1/9 mile (drop charge) + $2.50 per mile at speeds over 12 mph (distance charge) or 50 cents per minute at speeds less than 12 mph (time charge). The average trip includes about $2 in time charges. An example of a typical taximeter rate from the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Seattle to Sea-Tac Airport (14.65 miles) is approximately: $2.50 drop charge + 36.50 distance charge + $2 time charge = $41.

Ordinance 121131, adopted by the City Council in April 2003, authorizes the Department of Finance and Administrative Services to temporarily suspend the flat rate from the downtown hotel district to Sea-Tac Airport when conditions result in an average increase of 10 minutes to the normal trip time and are beyond the control of the drivers. The Oct. 21-31 construction is expected to cause increased trip times to the airport.

“Time charges are programmed into taximeters to more fairly compensate taxicab drivers for providing service in heavy traffic conditions, such as rush hour traffic or event traffic. If there were no time charge, taxicab drivers could avoid working certain areas or times and seriously limit the availability of taxicab service,” explained Craig Leisy, manager of the consumer affairs unit. Taximeters are regularly tested and sealed by Seattle taxicab inspectors to assure accuracy.

The flat rate between the downtown hotel district and Sea-Tac Airport was established in 2000 to reassure out-of-town visitors that taxicabs were taking the most direct route to the airport and not overcharging. Many cities have established flat rates between their downtowns and airports for the same reason.

Taxicab passengers going to the airport during the Viaduct closure are encouraged to share trips and the fares, or try to plan airport trips during off-peak hours when traffic may be lighter.

Taximeters in all Seattle taxicabs automatically issue printed receipts showing the taximeter trip particulars, including the taxicab name and number, trip start and end date/times, distance charge and total fare. The taxicab driver is required to provide all fare-paying passengers with receipts. The Taxi Complaint Hotline (206) 296-TAXI (8294) is shown at the bottom of the receipt if a passenger wishes to make a complaint about the fare or the service.