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The city's Taxi and Limousine Commission passed a fare increase of 26 percent for all yellow cabs; the increase will go into effect May 1. The TLC will also be introducing credit and debit card payment in cabs.
Changes:
- Base fee of $2.50 (old: $2)
- One fifth a mile now 40 cents (old: 30 cents)
- Peak travel surcharge $1, between 4PM and 8PM (also keeping the 50 cent surchage between 8PM and 6AM)
- Additionally, the flat rate from Kennedy to Manhattan is $45 (old: $35)
The TLC wanted to give drivers a "livable wage," and the Taxi Workers Alliiance is pretty pleased about the increase. And while no passengers really like paying more for their taxis, the proposed fare still makes NYC cab rides a great value versus other cities. Gothamist finds this to be more impetus to try and budget in enough time to take the subway instead of hopping in cabs last minute, or a sign that we should not leave our neighborhood.
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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?
People are already so frustrated with the maniacal taxi drivers in this city that I can't see this being anything but a deterrent.
$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?
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 :)
but what about the pedicabs???
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.
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.
$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).
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.
I've never understood people who take cabs. Except maybe in surprise hailstorms.
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.
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.
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.
Hey! Did anyone notice that they kept the 50¢ nighttime surcharge? I thought they were getting rid of that (to be replaced by the $1 peaktime charge).
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
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).
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....
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.