Cabbies are getting bigger tips thanks to their new credit-card machines, according to statistics obtained by The Post.
Both the Taxi and Limousine Commission and a drivers union said cash transactions on average result in a 10 to 15 percent tip for drivers.
But credit-card customers are bigger spenders. They gave an average 16 percent tip during three weeks in December.
Still, some drivers complain that their tips are getting wiped out because they are charged up to 5 percent for credit transactions.
“A beggar has no choice,” said cabby Gabriele Edet, 72, when asked what he thought about the credit-card fee.
“Drivers lose 5 percent of their income on every ride when credit cards are used,” said Bhairavi Desai of the Taxi Workers Alliance.
The figures, provided by the TLC, show customers who used plastic paid an average $14.99 for a cab ride and left a $2.36 tip.
The average cash fare was $10.13, not including tip, over the same 18-day period last month. There were no data on the average tip for cash customers.
The last of the city’s 13,237 cabs was fitted two months ago – against the wishes of many drivers – with new equipment including credit-card machines and GPS technology that provide the TLC with data.
The program, officials said, provides a better understanding of when fares should increase – and when they shouldn’t.
Officials also analyzed the number of pickups for the first 10 minutes of every hour on a randomly selected day, Friday, Dec. 5.
The most pickups that day were made between 7 p.m. and 7:10 p.m., when riders hailed 6,082 cabs.
JFK Airport is the top pickup spot at almost any time of the day, according to the TLC, followed by other predictable spots like La Guardia Airport and the taxi stands at Penn and Grand Central stations.
Excluding those sites, the busiest pickup location in the first week of November – with 3,480 – was 18 Ninth Ave., near the Hotel Gansevoort in the Meatpacking District.
The highest fare collected since the high-tech equipment was installed was $329 for a 2½-hour haul from West 51st St. to Mount Vernon in Westchester. Passengers pay double for rides to Nassau and Westchester counties.
The longest ride was a 226-minute multiple-stop jaunt from Third Street and First Avenue to 30 Park Place – racking up a $115.70 tab.
Additional reporting by Stephen Nessen
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Abie 01.14.09 at 7:32 am
So what’s the point? It’s not like any thing is different. These figures have been true before they could keep track. The only thing that’s different is now they know. Nothing else has changed. Also, if they don’t have information on cash fare tips then how can they claim that CC tips are larger?
OK, one thing can be concluded: Business is just fine despite any complains that it’s been hurting because of the recession!!
Laurent 01.14.09 at 9:22 am
I’m surprised by the tips, with an average of 16% by credit cards on average higher fares, it’s a good thing for the cabs.
Thanks for the stats !
NADER 01.14.09 at 2:18 pm
During the holidays the tips are a whole lot bigger then most other times, so by doing ur stupid survey in december your survey is not accurate. Not only are tips not as good as cash fares, but you also lose 5% for transaction fees. Another thing is that when people started using their credit cards and the computer calculated for them, they found out that they used to over tip in the past and since tipped less even when paying cash. Instead of getting 10 bucks for a 7.80 fair you now get either 8.80 or if your passenger is generous 9.80 then you lose 48 cents for fees. Before I used to get atleast 25 for a 20 dollar call. now I get 23. So before you push your stupid agenda trying to convince drivers that this is better than the past, go ask drivers what they think. All we know is that we make less now and have a harder time making it. The TLC is the only ones making money. And as soon as they put spy cams in the cabs I’m out. This city is thirsty for money and they end up fuckin’ the hard working cabbies because most of them come from other countries and it’s the only thing they can do and don’t know better. AS A CAB DRIVER YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS. I hope the TLC read this messege. FUCK BLOOMBERG
nyctaxiphoto 01.15.09 at 2:23 pm
thanks, Nader, I couldn’t have said it better myself, but I assume this article is from The Post, so it would be great if they could hear your comments too. you should totally let them have it!
Gil Avineri 01.18.09 at 7:19 pm
To this day I still have so many complications with those credit cards in my cab. Actually, due to the fact that more people are using them, I’m having even more. The garage now has the ability to deduct any amount they want from my balance at any time. I found out the other day that they’ve been taking out 20 dollars a shift to pay for an accident that occurred in a cab that I wasn’t even driving that day. This job is demeaning enough as it is. I am on the verge of tears when I think about how evil human nature can be. And if it ain’t evil, it’s ignorant of the realities it puts fellow human beings through. To hell with those credit cards.