Is a cab fare increase fair?
Everyone at the Taxi and Limousine Commission seems to think so – so prepare to shell out some extra cash for a cab.
The TLC hosted a public hearing Thursday to discuss whether to increase cab fare, which hasn’t been hiked since 2006.
Since then, drivers say, gas prices have skyrocketed, and credit card machines were installed in their cabs, taking away a 5 percent fee of each fare.
And TLC Commissioner David Yassky agrees, although he stressed that the TLC has to balance drivers’ concerns with the added burdens of the passenger.
“It’s simple,” he said. “Gas has gone way up. That comes right out of the drivers’ pockets.”
Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, said drivers have suffered a 25 percent loss in income since 2006.
“The expenses are going up,” said John McDonagh, a cabbie since 1977. “We’ve been hit so badly on the gas.”
McDonagh said he wasn’t convinced that any increase would go to his wallet.
“There should be an increase, but where is it going?” he said.
In its proposal, the Taxi Workers Alliance proposes adding a morning rush hour surcharge of $1, Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 a.m., along with adding 10 cents to the mileage and waiting times, bringing both from 40 cents to 50 cents. They do not propose increasing the base fare of $2.50
Even with concerns with the added burdens to the passengers, increase is a great deal for them. Especially, when two or more passengers is hailing the taxi together. It’s a giveaway! Riders never think about the cost of fuel and other expenses to the cabbies and taxi owners.
Drivers deserve an increase not fleet owners. Fleets won’t make a penny without drivers.
TLC STOP THE TICKETING BLITZ ON LEGITIMATE DRIVERS.
The scope of the TLC, must be limited to getting illegal drivers, instead of generating revenue for the city by harassing legitimate drivers via fines, just to close the city’s budget issues on the backs of hardworking drivers.
Last but not least, stop the unreasonable regulations that don’t make sense.
On a lighter note:
Vote for me to be your next TLC Commissioner.
Thank you for your vote.
LOL
Taxi Emperor! I’ll vote for you, if you periodically go to taxi fleets and find out what’s going on.
if not propose the based fare increase, I suggest to the 10 cents increase revised to every 1/7 of a mile and waiting time to 40 second instead of a minute. all meter must adjust to show one whole price at the start of meter which is include mta, base fare and surcharge. break down only show on the screen and receipts. it is too confusing to many tourist especially europeans, they think it is an add on tip for the driver. also, garage should paid for the 5% credit card charges on all discount tolls and mta tax.
Loved the yellow signs saying ‘Lies,” bring more of them to every TLC meeting, that says it all. But remember a 5% card processing fee on the ‘ whole ‘ fare, tallies out to about 20% of what has always been the cabbie’s share, after rent, after gas, and all the other little fees, ‘ what he goes home with. ‘ Cabbie pays the 5% fee on the whole fare, but takes home maybe 1/3 of that fare, losing 20% of his pay. Look at it this way, any cabbie who was taking home $500 a week, would now be taking home $400 a week. How many riders would like this to happen to them. – Then of course, garages rent cabs (not drive them), and their sole purpose is to make money, and as soon as they can raise the rent, they do it. And while waiting for the fares to go up so the rents can go up, they sneak in little fees as they can, they charge more for this and that, and they were very happy to be given 2% of all credit card fares their renters get. It is all about money, and if you look at the driver-less cars LOL, soon the drivers will not be necessary!! They are already treated that way! Won’t those garages love to get 2% of every card-swipe in the new boro cabs?
A friend of mine bought a used truck .He makes 10 grand a month for himself. You guys are waisting your time driving taxi.
Wait until they open a new subway line. Your morning rush will be gone. New rules narrow streets, huge summonses, all points to one direction -quit. And those summonses can cost you your annual income! Give me a break!
An official statistics says that taxi drivers are making $300 a week. If you include long weekends, slow month, tickets, accidents, than that number seems about right. I am sorry, but in NEW YORK CITY, ITS JUST A POCKET CHANGE! God luck to you guys, and don’t make a mistake I made 25 years ago.
Taxi service has been an old European tradition. In most civilized countries taxi drivers are recognized members of the society. Their opinion counts. Unfortunately, in America remains a wild west, taxi business left to a bunch of thugs, who know only one thing -milk cabbies to death. NYC taxi is an old institution, it should be protected from criminal elements who got a choke on the industry. Its up to the American goverment to preserve old cultural traditions. Without federal involvment cabbies are helpless and left to a bunch of predators-uncivilized crooks.
I guess some people got too realize how unfair this industry is for the drivers, I hope this fare increase is really ours too keep and not these greedy fleet owners.
It would be nice for them too add a security camera too protect the drivers. How about one of those before you throw on a IPad Mr.Yassky.
Dark knight cabbie, if the future taxi is a hybrid or electric, it probably will, but who knows what other price rasie concurrently like garge leases, gas prices. therefore, this increase sounds like is not for the driver but for them.
This is the best testimony we have ever heard in this taxi industry. Thanks Brairavi!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9qj152F45GA
i got 3 weeks ago new NJ driver license can apply for yellow cab driver license now and get it.