The big plunge in Minneapolis cab rates is almost over, and soon they'll likely be higher than those in St. Paul.

The Minneapolis City Council is expected to vote Friday on restoring a $2.35-per-mile cab rate -- the same rate that existed until March 1 when a new index heavily influenced by falling gasoline prices drove the mileage charge down to $2. A council committee has unanimously urged approval of the rate increase.

That's good news for those operating cabs, who howled when the gas-driven index lowered their rates. But for riders, the cost of a 5-mile trip would increase from $12.10 to $13.78, including a $2.50 flag-drop charge.

That compares with a 5-mile charge of $13.06 for both St. Paul and cabs from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which use a $2.20-per-mile fee. But the airport fee will automatically rise to the Minneapolis rate because it follows the higher of the two cities, according to airport spokesman Patrick Hogan.

Richard Cervantes, the city's deputy director for licensing and consumer services, said the new rates, which would take effect later this month, also would serve as the base for future increases. But those won't happen until October 2010.

The city has been attempting to switch to a system under which cab rates are adjusted annually according to increases in costs paid by cab operators. But a federally maintained Midwest urban transportation index adopted last year to guide changes in rates unexpectedly dropped when gasoline fell from last summer's peak.

That index will still be the biggest factor in future rate changes, but four other vehicle or general cost-of-living indexes also will play a role.

Drivers have complained of working long hours with little to show for it after cab lease and fuel costs are paid. They attributed the problem to the city's decision to increase the number of cab licenses to give more drivers an opportunity, as well as to increased competition from limousines.

Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438