CITY HALL — A Chicago alderman wants to allow cabbies to place a 50-cent surcharge on fares paid by credit card.
Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), chairman of the Transportation Committee, submitted a proposed ordinance at Wednesday's City Council meeting that would allow the surcharge. It's phrased in language that would make it legal, without actually endorsing it, saying: "Nothing ... shall prohibit a chauffeur from charging a customer a convenience fee on non-cash payments not to exceed 50 cents."
Beale has been a vocal defender of the taxi industry, and credit-card companies frequently charge merchants and others accepting cards a fee on each transaction.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel was noncommittal when asked about the proposal following Wednesday's meeting.
"I haven't looked at it, and I haven't studied that," Emanuel said, adding that he would have staff consider the proposal and its ramifications.
Beale's Transportation Committee will weigh the proposal and consider it for passage.