The starting taxi fare in Beijing is likely to be raised from the current 10 yuan ($1.60) to 13 yuan, in an effort to raise the income of taxi drivers, said the Beijing municipal commission of development and reform at a press conference on Tuesday morning.

The commission is proposing two plans for local taxi fare changes, both of which raise the starting fare by 3 yuan, to 13 yuan, China Central Television reported on Tuesday.

The fare for each kilometer would be raised from the current 2 yuan to 2.3 and 2.6 yuan in the two plans. The 2.3-yuan plan could raise taxi drivers' monthly income by 1,400 yuan, while the 2.6-yuan plan could raise their income by 2,300 yuan, according to the commission's statement.

The plans will go through a public hearing in two weeks, said the statement.