The Taxi and Limousine Commission has approved an 11% taxi fare hike. The hikes are meant to better compensate drivers, given rising gas prices (not to mention that NYC still has one of the least expensive taxi rates in the country). There are two changes:
+ Charging a flat fee of $45 from Manhattn to JFK
+ New "waiting time" charge - 40 cents per minute while going under 12 MPH versus the old 20 cents per minute while going under 6 MPH (it's believed this will keep drivers from speeding)
It's unclear when the new rates will go into effect, but the change will mean the average taxi ride of 2.8 miles will increase from $8.65 to $9.60.
