I think the drivers will not make any money. The fleet owners are the ones who will make money from this taxi fare increament? The big brothers will start increse the lease money. Since drivers are the direct contact with the customers they will suffer the most.

I am confused about the peak charge stuff. Isn't that the time of day when there are more jobs available for cabbies? Why do they need an incentive to work then (unlike the charge after 8pm which seems like a reasonable idea)? Sounds like extortion to me. Is the increase in fares linked to a timetable for upgrading taxis? The extended cabs are great (for anyone over 5'3") and you can't beat those mini-vans. Anyone who has ever taken cabs in other cities knows how miserable and uncomfortable NY taxi service is. What if NY cabbies had to take a test like the "Knowledge" test in London? I can't imagine....

Did you notice in the Times article that the cost of each ATM transaction will be somewhere in the $1 - $2 range. Given that the average cab ride I take is $8 - $10 more or less, doesn't this ATM idea seem a little bit inefficient? I mean, some local shops don't permit me to buy a single pack o' smokes with an ATM card (they have like a $20 minimum).

Forgot to add--Remember that TLC purposefully made a confusing pricing formula for prices to mask the true cost.

Only 10 hours of a 24-hour period will actually have a $2.50 base charge. The rest will be at least $3.00. The increases are tailored for the most popular times; you'll get a better deal taking a cab from 6AM through 3PM. Ironically, those are the times that the subway has the most consistent service.

$2.50

going to work, daytime errands

6AM

7AM

8AM

9AM

10AM

11AM

12PM

1PM

2PM

3PM

$3.50 actual base charge

going home from work, shopping after work, errands

4PM

5PM

6PM

7PM

$3.00 actual base charge

shows and nightlife, safer late-night transportation

8PM

9PM

10PM

11PM

12AM

1AM

2AM

3AM

4AM

5AM

Yes, Mike. You must be onto something. All of those people in cabs must be hopelessly misguided. What are they thinking? Why take a taxi at 3:30 am when you can take a bus, which runs once an hour, or the subway, which is much safer in the middle of the night than during the day.

Perhaps the fare hike will help pay for some NoDoz for the drivers that make a habit of "resting their eyes" on the drive back to the city from JFK?

I understand that twelve hour shifts at night are tough, especially without a livable wage (sometimes requiring a second job during the day), but six out of the last seven times I've flown into JFK at night, I've caught the cab driver nodding off at the wheel while speeding along on Grand Central Parkway. Scary stuff.

Remember Your Rights! If you refuse you service because they dont want to drive to the outer boroughs or the Airports (which alot of them do), write them up and file a complaint.

I've never understood people who take cabs. Except maybe in surprise hailstorms.

Screw it. A Raise?? Don't worry folks, just don't tip! That'll even out the price. Most of them are rude anyway and don't deserve it to begin with.

$3.50 before even moving an inch would definitely make me rethink taking a cab. The only times I really took cabs when I lived in the City was when my folks were in town AND we were running late (as they LOVED taking public transportation in New York -- the people on the subway and bus fascinated them [as well as the 2 hour transfer] -- gotta love the folks).

It would suck to have a job where you don't get a raise for 8 years.

And where you have to be a cabbie.

i love this. . .i can't remember the last time i took a cab with my own money (sometimes work pays for late night rides home). i think this is a great way to tax the "rich." in this city, where subways and buses can get you pretty much anywhere, why not charge people for the luxury of "private" transportation. i hope the medallion leases don't go up, too - that would suck for the drivers.

but what about the pedicabs???

I can actually see myself taking taxis more often if every cab accepted credit/debit. Often, I'm walking out of a bar/restaurant with not enough cash to get home and I have to find a ATM or just hop the subway. If cabs took my debit card, I'd just do that. Not good :)

$45 flat rate from JFK? that's a steeeeeep increase. maybe it's part of a secret plan to get people to use the airtrain?

People are already so frustrated with the maniacal taxi drivers in this city that I can't see this being anything but a deterrent.

the question is, are the drivers going to actually make more money? or are the people who lease them the cabs and medallions simply going to raise their prices 27?