County law provides for a fuel surcharge to be added to taxicab fares when gas prices remain at or above an average of $3.50 a gallon for three consecutive weeks based on data reported by the United States Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration. 

All taxicabs may collect the fuel surcharge for each trip.  However, in order to collect the fuel surcharge there are a few requirements.  The surcharge can only be collected if it is added to the meter’s extra function (except for flat rate trips and certain meters that do not have an extra function) and a Miami-Dade County fuel surcharge decal must be posted in the vehicle. The Miami-Dade County decal must be placed on the right-rear passenger side window indicating the driver’s authority to collect the fuel surcharge.

Should gas prices continue to rise, additional surcharges may be authorized in increments of 50 cents, as outlined on the schedule below. 

Should the average weekly price of regular unleaded gasoline fall below a level on the above chart for three consecutive weeks, the surcharge will be reduced accordingly.   

The Consumer Services Department (CSD) will publicly announce when additional surcharges are authorized to be collected.  

The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department licenses and regulates taxicabs.  It also investigates and mediates consumer complaints, enforces the County's consumer protection laws and business regulations, and licenses a variety of other businesses.  To read the fuel surcharge ordinance or for more information on consumer protection laws and department services, log on to www.miamidade.gov/csd or call the Consumer Mediation Center at (305) 375-3677. 

Editor's Note:  Members of the Passenger Transportation Regulatory Division (PTRD) will be at the below listed locations between March 29 - April 3, 2011, to provide the fuel surcharge decals.