Need a cab? It might mean a wait in Fort McMurray, where fed-up drivers are leaving the business

As bars in Fort McMurray, Alta., open to larger crowds, and nightlife is starting to pick up, patrons may end up waiting for hours at the end of the night for a safe ride home.

The taxi industry has seen a large decrease in the number of drivers, and people in the industry are saying it's because they haven't seen a pay increase in almost 10 years.

Penny Skinner, manager of Sun Taxi, said the company had 137 units on the road before the pandemic, but now has about 50.

On a cold morning, people can wait up to an hour for a cab, and at night the wait time can be several hours, Skinner said.

Drivers leave for better-paying jobs or just leave town, she said.

Cab fares, which are set by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, haven't increased since 2014.

The rate is currently set at $3.80 for the first 52 metres, plus 10 cents for each 52 metres after that.

Greg Bennett, communications strategist for the regional municipality, said bylaw services will start public engagement on the Vehicle For Hire bylaw this year as part of an update.

"We have heard concerns about the current rates from some in the industry," Bennett said in an email. 

Insurance went up about 40 per cent for cab drivers in the last year, and gas is about 50 per cent more expensive than in 2014, said Skinner.

"Costs come up for these drivers and it's not profitable for them to be here," she said. "The bylaw needs to be reviewed."

She would like to see the rates increase by 15 per cent.

Skinner met with Coun. Funky Banjoko to talk about the issue. Banjoko said she's researching it further to see what can be done to support cab drivers.

"We need taxi services to be able to operate profitably and safely and also people need to be able to afford the rates. There's need for a balance," Banjoko said.