Taxi Fare Hike Proposal Has $1 AM Surcharge, $55 JFK Trips

(Flat Luxe's flickr)

With gas prices on the rise, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance hasn't been quiet about wanting to discuss a fare hike with the TLC. And now they've announced exactly what they are hoping for. In addition to the already discussed $.10 rate increase for stuck traffic (from $.40 to $.50 per minute) and a per-mile increase from $2 to $2.40, they are also asking for a $1 morning rush hour commute surcharge and an increase in the flat rate for trips between Manhattan and JFK from $45 to $55.

"With higher gas prices and higher cab lease prices, drivers' earnings are below a livable wage and below the minimum wage after working a 12-hour shift," NYTWA's Executive Director Bhairavi Desai complained at a rally yesterday. At the same event she elaborated "2004 incomes paying for 2011 expenses is going to take anybody deeper into poverty, especially when you already earn below minimum wage."

The TLC has said it will carefully consider the proposal but has given no time frame for when it will make a final decision. On the one hand, we can sympathize with the the hacks who work incredibly long hours at a high-stress job for little pay. But on the other hand? We'd be much happier to support a fare hike if every other cab we hail in Manhattan didn't try and refuse to take us to the outer boroughs.

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By Garth Johnston in News on May 5, 2011 6:58 PM

Comments [rss]

Rammy

And why the $1 surcharge after 1am - does gas cost more after $1am? If its so cost prohibitive to drive around after 1am, then just call it night, no?

Every time the yellow cabs call for an increase, the response should be to show the video of the Grabby Cabbie.

http://gothamist.com/2011/05/0...

SPIBB

The whole damned taxi industry is insane. Why is it that new medallions go for north of a half a million dollars at auction? It's a damned license to steal.

Detex

Ok, so I am assuming we will see the surcharge reduced once gas prices drop? Oil is down over 10% in the past couple days, gas will come in...

So whatcha say taxi guys?

xXxMExXx

Considering almost anyone hailing a taxi could have used a mass-transit option for their trip; I assume autophobes like Streetsblog readers support even higher fare increases?

SC15

I can't speak for anyone else, but I fall into that pro-transit, Streetsblog-reading demographic, and I honestly don't have any problem with a fare hike. Gas is far more expensive; using gas (by hailing a cab) should be, too.

But as others pointed out, there should be more regulation as to what the medallion owners can charge the hacks, so it's not all passed up the line. Fare increases need to go to the drivers to offset the costs they're fronting.

Justin Goode

Yep, the 27% increase in monthly cards in the past 5 years, while cutting service and still staying in billions in debt makes me want to take mass transit. I will gladly give more to the MTA to wait twice as long for transportation as service gets cut and bloated salaries stay the same. Well, on second thought, that sounds like a TERRIBLE idea. Please tell me that I just read/understood your post wrongly.

As much as I would like to not see taxi prices raise, it at least makes sense because of rising gas prices constantly happening. Whitecastlerock says it right. The medallion owners are the ones who should be targeted...unless they are reimbursing the cab drivers for gas at the end of the shift. I don't know how that works.

Regardless, xXxMExXx, unless I took your post wrongly, I would rather pay more for a cab, then take the same amount as the cab ride and set it on fire rather then give it to the MTA.

whitecastlerock

I would rather pay more for a cab, then take the same amount as the cab ride and set it on fire rather then give it to the MTA. LMAO

turt

time to poop on your party: every time you take a cab, $.50 goes directly to the MTA.

petey2

I think I'd rather ride a subway then sit in a cab with the smelly cab drivers.

TeddyNYC

Maybe I'll see more European tourists on the A train once the flat rate goes north of $50.

jlruss

The most insidious item here is the per mile increase

whitecastlerock

They work long hours for little money. Why not put pressure on the medallion owners who charge these hacks over $110 bucks up front just to work for the day. Instead they want to pass the costs onto the customer...

TheOtherBob

Yeah -- if that's really the problem, then increasing fares won't help. The minute they start making an extra $20 a day, the medallion owners will start charging an extra $20 a day.