NEW YORK—Riding in taxis costs more starting Tuesday, yet some cabs won’t raise fares until after Sept. 30, according to the entity that oversees the taxi industry.
The increased fares, approved July 12, provoked opposition from owners of taxi fleets, who felt that they would not benefit from the increase. Yet it was widely supported by drivers, who said that costs such as rising gas prices have driven their real income down over the past eight years. The last base fare increase, from $2 to $2.50, was in 2004.
Waiting time charges, for the amount of time a taxi idles or is in slow traffic, saw smaller increases. It was raised from $0.30 to $0.40 in 2004. The $0.40 charge for every minute in traffic instead of every two minutes began in 2006.
With the current fare change, the base fare remains at $2.50, while the charge for 60 seconds in traffic will increase to $0.50.
Also, the fare between JFK Airport and Manhattan will rise from $45 to $52.50, and the surcharge to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey will increase from $15 to $17.50.
All factors considered the average fare is estimated to increase 17 percent.
Taxi drivers and owners are not required to implement the new fare structure until their first scheduled inspections after Sept. 30. They must also have their meters recalibrated and have updated the pricing information on the sides of their taxis.
David Yassky, chair and commissioner of the Taxi and Limousine Commission, which oversees the industry, said in a statement that many taxicab operators will implement the new structure on Sept. 4, “so it is extremely important that taxi riders know and understand it.”
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