Prince George's Authorizes $1 Taxi Fuel Surcharge

LARGO, Md. (AP) -- Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker has authorized a $1 emergency fuel surcharge for taxi fares in the county.

Baker has signed an executive order that authorizes the county's Department of Environmental Resources to establish a $1 per trip surcharge. Anyone 60 years of age and older and any fares related to county contracts are exempt.

The county executive can declare a fuel cost emergency and authorize a surcharge when the average price of regular gasoline exceeds $3 per gallon.

The surcharge, which takes effect immediately, could last through June 30, 2012 unless it is rescinded by an executive order or a finding that the region's gas prices drop below $3 per gallon for regular gasoline.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)