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The rising price of gas will have taxi customers reaching deeper into their pockets this summer.

Most Fredericton taxi companies have already increased their rates.

George's Skycab will hike its rate today.

"It works out to 10 per cent. In longer runs, it increases accordingly, but it's about 10 per cent," said Don Webster, owner of George's Skycab.

This will result in the basic fare going up 50 cents. Fares from the airport won't change, but a cab to Oromocto will increase by a couple of dollars.

"It's the long hauls that really hurt us in the fuel costs, so that's where we need to make up the money," said Webster.

Several other companies in the city increased their rates earlier this week. They also blamed the high price of gas.

Ron Grant has been a cabbie for 14 years.

"I own my own car. I'm a broker, emphasis on the broke." Grant said, adding cab drivers earn well below the standard.

"The prices in Fredericton are 50 per cent lower than the national average. In most cities, the price is set by the city, and they have meters."

Checker Cab hasn't increased its fares and owner George Youssef is uncertain if he will charge more.

"We are taking a wait-and-see approach. That is not to say prices won't go up," said Youssef. "If the price of gas continues to skyrocket, we will have no other choice but to go up.''

Gas is $1.24 per litre for regular. It's expected to go higher as the summer driving season kicks into full gear.

"We have been putting this off for some time since it's gone over a dollar," Webster said. "It was starting to hurt; we were hoping it would back off. But it doesn't look that way. It looks like it's going the other way, for sure,"

Youssef said gas is a cab company's biggest expense.

"We are putting $65 in a car every day, when this time last year it was only $40."

Youssef said increased fares still won't bring Fredericton on par with the rest of the province.

"It's got nothing to do with gouging the customers. Cab prices in Fredericton are the lowest in the country and are 30 to 40 per cent lower than Moncton and Saint John, so we are way behind there," he said.

Youssef and others in the cab business would like to see the city implement a meter system. But Coun. David Kelly said that isn't something residents will likely see.

"The city's role is to make sure the cars are safe and in good condition for our tourists and the public. It's not our job to determine pricing," said Kelly.

Webster said customers are usually understanding about the increased rates.

"Nobody likes it,'' said Webster. "In most cases, people expect it and they are surprised we haven't done it before.''

His company has brought back a free-ride campaign. After each ride the customer receives a ticket and 10 tickets are equal to one basic fare of $6.50.

"It's a way to ease the pain," Webster said.