Atlantic passenger travel companies adding surcharges to ease pain of fuel prices

Passenger travel companies in Atlantic Canada are feeling the pinch of rising fuel prices. The region's largest taxi company _ Casino Taxi, in Halifax _ has imposed a $1.30 fuel surcharge on each fare to help compensate drivers.

Company president Brian Herman says the surcharge is paid directly to the drivers, who are facing fuel prices approaching $2 per litre.

He says the surcharge will be removed after Halifax city council approves a rate increase, which is expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Maritime Bus has also imposed a fuel surcharge for its

intercity routes, but owner Mike Cassidy says he's trying to keep rates down to encourage people to use his buses. He says many residents are addicted to their personal cars, but he says he expects more people to use buses to travel within the Atlantic region if fuel prices continue to rise.