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LAX Cab Drivers Brace For 'Resentment' Over Fare Hikes

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The next time you go to the airport, you could be forking over some more green for a yellow cab.

KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports taxi drivers at Los Angeles International Aiport are warning their tips could take a hit from a new deal.

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The fare increase comes after the City Council unanimously approved a 10-year contract with Authorized Taxicab Supervision, the company that coordinates taxis at the airport.

An audit four years ago found the company made questionable payments with those fees collected from cab drivers.

Passenger fees are expected to rise to $4 up from $2.50.

Many drivers are upset that their take-home pay could be seriously reduced.

"[The fare increase] creates resentment among the public who blame us, the drivers, for taxing them this way," said longtime taxi driver David Shapiro.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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