After nearly two decades without change to how larger taxis are charged, the City of Saskatoon has introduced a flat-rate fare for vehicles with third-row seating. The policy, which took effect Monday, replaces a surcharge model the municipality and industry say no longer reflected operating realities.
What changes and who it affects
Under the new rule, a special large-vehicle fare of $9.50 will be applied whenever a taxi with third-row seating is requested through dispatch or is hailed at the curb by a group of five or more people. Previously, vans and other larger taxis charged 150 per cent of the standard sedan fare when transporting additional passengers or excess cargo, a method the city said was intended to help companies recover higher operating costs.
The move is aimed at providing clearer pricing for riders while aligning fares more closely with the costs of owning and operating larger vehicles, according to a city statement.
“The new fare more accurately reflects the current operating and ownership costs of larger vehicles compared to sedan taxis,” the City of Saskatoon said.
Why the change now?
City officials and taxi operators told ZTL the previous system — which imposed a 50-per-cent premium on top of the normal sedan rate for larger vehicles — had grown outdated. The flat $9.50 figure is intended to simplify billing and give passengers a predictable price when they need extra seating.
For many Saskatonians, predictable taxi pricing matters in everyday life: larger vehicles are commonly used by families with small children, groups travelling to late-night events, passengers with mobility equipment and visitors with substantial luggage. The new structure affects both those who request a vehicle through dispatch and those who hail a larger cab on the street.
Implications for riders and drivers
- Passengers in groups of five or more who hail a cab will be charged the large-vehicle fare.
- Requests for taxis that explicitly ask for third-row seating through dispatch will trigger the $9.50 charge.
- The change aims to increase transparency and reduce the variability riders experienced under a percentage surcharge model.
Local drivers and taxi operators have voiced mixed reactions to the update in other coverage. Some welcomed clearer rules and a tariff that better matches costs, while others cautioned that any fixed fee must keep pace with fuel, maintenance and insurance costs over time.
Comparing the old and new approach
| Previous system | New system (effective Monday) |
|---|---|
| Charged 150% of the standard sedan fare for larger vehicles | Flat large-vehicle fare of $9.50 when third-row seating is requested or hailed by five or more people |
Officials point to improved consistency as a policy goal. For riders, the change provides a known surcharge when larger capacity is required; for operators, it clarifies how to bill for trips that need a cab with extra seating.
More detailed information and the full list of taxi rates are available on the City of Saskatoon’s website for residents who want to review all fare categories and related rules.
As the Winnipeg and Regina taxi markets have shown in recent years, municipal oversight and periodic fare reviews are common as cities and operators navigate rising costs and shifting travel patterns. In Saskatoon, this adjustment will be watched closely by riders who depend on larger taxis and by drivers responsible for providing that service.
