October 25, 2006
Taxi Fare Hike Approved
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.
The last fare hike was in 2004.
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Why can't NYC get rid of 50% of the pollution producing cab and lower the fair.
I would pay $9.00 for 2 miles unless I could split it with five other people.
They are nuts.
a) there's no way that the extra few cents is going to stop these guys from speeding. they make the most by getting people in and out quickly.
b) unless the medallion owners don't raise the prices they charge to the drivers for use of the cab (which is incredibly unlikely), this won't serve to better compensate them... nor will it offset the gas prices.
If you want to check out the next generation of taxis, take a look at http://www.taxi07.org
more hybrid taxis means less whining from cab drivers about gas prices. hmm.
mh: Could we have your comment again but this time in English?
Ben, I was thinking the same thing.
In DC, if you can get past the whole rip-off called Zones, the drivers are allowed to pick up multiple fares if the fares they pick up don't take a person more than 6 blocks out of their way. Which is totally freaking stupid considering 6 blocks can take forever if there is traffic. It's a totally f'ed up system, which helps only the drivers. The passengers don't get a break in price. Everyone pays the same amount based on their zones even if you have to tag along with another passenger (for six blocks). Sure, I guess on rainy days it keeps people from getting wet when there is a shortage of cabs but otherwise, it's crap.
Wow, I'm getting worked up over this and it has nothing to do with NYC taxi prices. But I lived in DC so I find I compare the two situations often. In the end, and it doesn't make it right necessarily, I'll take NYC's taxi prices any day.
9 bucks for 2 blocks? fuck! thank god I bike. I go 15 miles for free every day. and I don't pay for no stinking gym too and I get fresh air. Suck on that dumb fucking taxi users!
k: where do you get "$9 for 2 blocks"?
Is it that difficult reading the article from way up on your high horse?
LONGEST. BLOCKS. EVER.
Man, the bike rider smug even blows the public transit smug out of the water, and that's saying something.
wait Now I have the pleasure of paying 11% more to a hairy, rude fucking piece of shit terrorist who can't speak english and smells like Horse sweat? awesome.
How much money do the bikers save when they have to constantly buy new bikes and/or bike locks to stay ahead of the thieves?
"wait Now I have the pleasure of paying 11% more to a hairy, rude fucking piece of shit terrorist who can't speak english and smells like Horse sweat? awesome."
As a white native New Yorker who drives a taxi for a living, I take no exception to your comment.
Please exit curbside, have a great day!
They can charge as much as they want !! I could careless, I don't use yellow cabs . If I need a cab I use the livery car service . It's cheaper, they actually get you to your destination and to make matters worest they actually have the nerve to charge you a fare rate ! My ride takes about twenty minutes and I pay [10] dollars, Instead of whatever the yellow tops charge per minute in traffic .
Anybody who thinks the hike is going to be too expensive try driving in the city for 1 day and see how it feels and how stressful it is and then reconsider.