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‘Suicide Surcharge’ or Crucial Fee to Fix the Subway? Taxi Drivers Brace for Battle Over $2.50 Charge

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Samarov
1448 Rider
 Posted 5 years, 8 months ago

Another death-rattle for the cab industry. (via New York Times)

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    lionfool
    236 Rider Driver
     5 years ago

    Wait, so taxis are getting a 2.50 fee, and Ubers a 2.75 fee. I mean, it's pretty egalitarian is it not? I don't see how this puts taxis at a disadvantage. I guess they are trying to lobby for being exempt from it.

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      cheesehead
      524 Rider Driver
       5 years ago

      Yeah I think they're basically saying "why are you punishing us for a problem that Uber created". Kind of makes sense...

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    outlandish
    205 Rider Driver
     5 years ago

    Traffic in NYC has definitely gotten considerably worse since Uber took off. No question about it. I have wondered whether a congenstion charge like London has could ever work in a US city, and I think it would be tough. So maybe this is the answer, to just surcharge rideshares instead. Should taxis be included? I don't know. That's a tough one. I think they have reason to complain about it but I doubt it will make any difference.

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      chawes
      756 Rider Guru
       5 years ago

      I think this is a little different than a congestion charge. I mean, if anything, higher prices will encourage MORE people to drive into the city on their own, not less. I doubt it will keep any Uber drivers or taxis off the road. Overall I doubt it will help with congestion much. Seems like just a way to raise money, which is not necessarily a bad thing if it at least helps make public transportation better...

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    cheesehead
    524 Rider Driver
     5 years ago

    This is a pretty solid argument:

    In the lawsuit, taxi owners and drivers also claim that they should not be charged a so-called “congestion tax” because their numbers have been capped by city law at 13,587 “to prevent an overabundance of cars and congestion,” even as Uber and other ride-app services had been allowed until recently to expand exponentially.

    When they put it like that it does seem pretty unfair. That taxi industry is really hamstrung in places like this.

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    chawes
    756 Rider Guru
     5 years ago

    The $2.50 fee will raise the minimum taxi fare to $5.80 — which is still lower than an Uber ride. The cost for Uber, which has an $8 base fare in Manhattan, will rise to a minimum of $10.75, including the new $2.75 fee.

    Amazing that taxis are still cheaper than Uber in NYC. What an unusual place.

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      DanHennison
      20
       5 years ago

      Is this literally the only place in the US where taxis are still cheaper? Good ol' NYC

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      tabby
      172 Rider
       5 years ago

      And more convenient if we're being honest. You can hail a cab in like 2 seconds in most of Manhattan. Uber is convenient, but not that convenient.

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    Bigfrank
    447 Rider Driver Driver
     5 years ago

    The MTA has been cooking the books for years and  is terribly mismanaged.   the best thing to do is to privatize the buses as a start but of course they won't allow that because they'll be less under the table $$$$ to go around. Surcharge this !!!

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    blackandyellow
    147
     5 years ago

    I can't read the article. Can someone please summarize it for me?