All trips taken in a Columbia Cab taxi must be charged by the meter rate. Rates are set by the Howard County Department of Inspection, Licenses and Permits, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043, 410-313-2455.

Howard County Department of Inspection, Licenses and Permits approved new taxi charges effective August 1, 2005.

All companies licensed to operate in Howard County are required to use the rates listed below. Drivers are required to take the best route to your destination or the route of your choosing.

Estimated Trip Cost

Use the meter rates below to estimate the cost of your trips. Request for prices at the time of trip request are estimates only. Drivers are not required to honor any estimated cost of a trip. You may want to use a mapping website to assist you in estimating the cost of your trip. Actual driven miles will vary. Mapping websites should only be used to estimate the actual meter rate. Your driver may also be able to give you an estimate of the cost of your trip. Please note: The driver is required to run the meter for all trips. The actual cost of each trip is determined by the meter calculations of time and mileage.

Taxi Cab Rates for Howard County

$1.90   First 3/8 mile (or fraction thereof).
$0.22   Each additional 1/8 mile (or fraction thereof).

Taxi Surcharges

$1.50   Each additional passenger of 8 years of age and older.
$1.00   Each piece of luggage handled by driver.
$1.00   Except as provided, all pets not in a carrier. (The pet charge shall not be applied if the animal is a working service animal such as a search and rescue dog, contra-ban dog, seeing-eye dog, or other similar service animal that is trained to provide physical support to individuals who are hearing, visually, or mobility impaired.)

$2.00   Surcharge per trip for service during Howard County declared snow emergency.

$0.30   Waiting time per minute.

$2.00   Rides between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM.
$2.50   Trips crossing county borders.
$1.00   Credit card service fee for transactions up to and including $20.00.
$2.50   Credit card service fee for transactions over $20.00.
$1.00   Total additional charge for more than six grocery bags handled by driver.
$0.50    Gasoline surcharge, (per trip)
$4.00    Van request surcharge.

Tolls: Riders are responsible for all tolls for outbound and return trips.

Multiple Passenger/Stops

If the taxi cab carries passengers to different destinations, the meter shall be reset after each passenger reaches his/her destination and pays the appropriate fare.