Richmond VA Taxi Rates Explained
Flag Drop taxi rate $2.50
What is the flag drop charge?Flag drop rate is the initial fare when the taxi driver turns on his meter after the passenger has entered the vehicle. This is the minimum fare you would expect to pay for traveling in a taxi in Richmond VA.
$0.50 for every additional 1/5th mile traveled
How much is the per mile rate?After the driver turns on the meter and the taxi is in motion, the meter fare starts increasing by $0.50 for every 1/5th mile traveled or $2.50 per mile. For example, after traveling 0.2 miles, you will see the meter rate increase from $2.50 to $3.00.
$0.50 for every 80 seconds of wait time
What is the wait time charge?What happens when your taxi is stopped and idling at the red light? Or suppose your taxi driver waits for you to pick up groceries from a store. In these circumstances, when the taxi is stationary, the wait time charge kicks in. Now your meter runs slower at $0.50 per 0.80 seconds of stopped time. Once the taxi is in motion again, the meter automatically moves to the per mile rate, which is $2.50 per mile.
$1.00 surcharge for each extra passenger
Are extra passengers charged?You, the primary passenger are not charged any surcharge, unless you happen to be traveling between 9 p.m. through 6 a.m. (after hours surcharge). However, any additional passengers are charged $1 per person. For example, if you were traveling with 2 friends, the taxi driver would add a $2 extra passenger surcharge when he starts the meter. At the end of the trip, if your meter fare totals $10, your driver will press the extras button on his meter and your new fare would show as $12. Please note that children below 6 years are not charged any extra passenger fees.
$1.00 after hours surcharge for rides between 9 p.m. through 6 a.m
What is the after hours surcharge?If you travel in between the hours of 9 p.m. through 6 a.m., your taxi driver will add a $1 after hours surcharge to the meter rate. This surcharge is to compensate the driver for working late hours at night through early morning.
Children 6 years and below - No extra passenger fees
Are children charged extra passenger fees?Only persons above 6 years old are charged extra passenger surcharges. Children aged 6 years and under are not charged any extra passenger fees. For example, if you were traveling with a child 6 year old or younger, the driver will not add any extra passenger fee.
$5.00 RIC Airport access fee for airport pick-ups only
What is the RIC airport access fee?Richmond Airport charges taxi drivers a $5 Airport access fee to enter the commercial vehicle lane for passenger pick-ups. This fee is paid by the driver at a pay station before entering the pick-up lane. Your driver will add this $5 fee to your final fare or may just add it as an extra when he starts the meter. Please note that there is no fee for dropping off customers at the airport terminal.
Minimum $10 charge OR meter rate (whichever is higher) for pick-ups from RIC airport
What does this mean?There is a minimum $10 fare for all pick-ups from Richmond International Airport. This means that if you took a cab at the airport and traveled just 1 mile, your meter fare would show as $5. But, you would pay $10 instead of $5. Please remember that Airport pick-ups can be very time consuming for a taxi driver. The driver has to wait for the passenger to come out of the terminal after baggage claim etc. Flight delays can also make his wait time longer. The $10 minimum fare ensures that the driver gets fairly compensated for his time.
Toll fees, Airport access fees, if applicable, are added to the total metered fare
What does this mean?Toll fees, Airport access fees etc, are added by the driver to the final meter fare. For example, if you were picked up from Richmond Airport and passed through a toll (toll fee $0.70), and if your mater fare was $20, the driver would add a $5 RIC Airport access fee and the $0.70 toll fee, to make your final total fare to $25.70
Richmond VA Taxi Fare Calculation
Richmond Taxi Fare = Base Fare $2.50 + Total Miles Traveled x $2.50
Example for a 20 mile trip = Base Fare $2.50 + 20 miles x $2.50 =$52.50
How Are Taxi Fares Calculated?
Here is an easy example to understand the taxi rates in Richmond. John enters a cab. On being seated, his meter starts and the cab driver sets the meter to $2.50. This is also termed as the base fare or flag drop rate. Now, when John travels 0.2 miles or 1/5th of a mile, his meter increments by $0.50. If he travels a whole mile, the meter adds $2.50. So, if John were to travel 1 mile in a Richmond cab, he would pay $5.00.
Are Toll Fees Extra?
Yes. At the end of your trip, your taxi driver will add all applicable toll fees and access fees (like the airport access fee) to your metered fare. So, if your meter fare was $12 and you passed 2 tolls where the driver paid $2 in toll fees, your total fare will be $14.
Are Extra Passengers Charged?
Yes. "You" the primary passenger, are "not" charged any surcharge, but "any extra passenger" is charged $1. So, if you have 3 friends joining you in the cab, the driver will add $3 extra to the meter. So, your meter will now start at $5.50, instead of the standard $2.50.
Are Children Charged a Surcharge?
Children 6 and younger are not charged any surcharge or extra passenger fee. However, the primary full fare paying adult, must accompany the child below 6 on the ride. All persons above 6 years old are charged the $1 extra passenger surcharge.
What Is The After Hours Surcharge?
The after hours surcharge of $1 is applicable when a person travels between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. This surcharge is added as a one time $1 to the meter fare irrespective of the number of passengers. So, here is an example, John calls a cab at 10 p.m and has 3 friends with him. Your cab driver will start the meter at $2.50 and then add $3 for the extra passengers and $1 after hours surcharge. So, the meter will start at $6.50.
How is Wait Time Calculated?
Wait time begins when the meter automatically senses that the car is stationary/idling and not moving. Currently, the wait time is charged at $0.50 for every 80 seconds of wait time. Wait time starts when you make a stopover, or stuck in traffic, or waiting at a light. So, the wait time charge can actually lower your cost, especially when you are stuck in traffic.
Are Taxis Regulated?
Yes. All taxis in Richmond and surrounding counties are regularly inspected by the county police department. The inspection authorities make sure that the operating vehicle is in good working condition. Taxi meters too are inspected to make sure that they are accurate, and have not been tampered with.
Who Sets and Regulates Taxi Rates?
Our taxis are regulated by the County of Henrico. Taxis are regulated by their respective cities or counties. The taxi rates are fixed by the county officials. Rates are lowered or increased as deemed necessary by the state/county authorities.
Are Your Drivers Regulated?
Yes. All taxi drivers in Richmond and Henrico are regulated by the city/county. Taxi permits are issued to drivers, based on a driving record check and an FBI fingerprint and background check. Drivers are expected to be courteous and professional in their attitude. All taxi drivers also follow county guidelines on clothing and attire.
Can a Taxi Fare Be As Low As $2.50?
Yes, although this happens in rare cases. If John were to travel 0.19 miles, his taxi fare would remain at $2.50. But, the moment his traveled distance reaches, or exceeds 0.20 miles, his fare would increase by $0.50 to $3.00. So, if a passenger travels less than 0.2 miles, his fare would remain at $2.50
Is a Taxi in Richmond Cheaper than an Uber?
Surprisingly "YES" - for rides up to 1.8 miles in Richmond VA. Let's say you ordered a cab from the Capital Ale House in the Innsbrook area to go to the Silver Diner on West Broad Street. The total distance is less than 0.2 miles. Your taxi cab fare would be $2.50. Now, if you were to call an Uber for the same ride, your UberX fare would be $7.05, while your UberXL fare would be $9.25. So, if you were to travel up to 1.8 miles - a taxi would be cheaper than an UberX. Also, a taxi would be cheaper than an UberXL if you were to travel up to 2.6 miles.
When is a Taxi Cheaper than an Uber?
- If you are traveling a short distance up to 1.8 miles, a taxi in Richmond is definitely cheaper than an Uber because for a total distance of 1.8 miles, your taxi fare will be only $7. This is cheaper than the minimum UberX fare of $7.05 in Richmond VA. If you were to travel 2.0 miles in a taxi, your taxi fare and UberX fare would be almost the same.
- When a taxi company offers flat rates lower than UberXL rates. See our low flat taxi rates
Let's say for instance, you need a cab from the Westin Richmond Hotel to Richmond airport and you have 5-6 passengers. Here, you WILL need an UberXL vehicle to accommodate 5-6 passengers. Your UberXL fare for this ride will be $37.27. Our taxi flat rate for this ride is $36 with NO surprises and NO surge pricing.
Richmond VA Taxi Rate Card
