Transportation in yellow cabs or “liveries” may be more expensive for New Yorkers.
A public hearing was held this Thursday on a proposal from the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) that seeks to raise fares.
“Our members are very proud of all the demonstrations we have made in the street to invoke the urgency of this vote.. We know this is long overdue, ”said Bhairavi Desai, a member of the NY Taxi Workers Alliance.
The TLC proposed this increase due to inflation and the rise in the price of gasoline.
To which is added the debt of the medallion loans that many are still paying.
At the hearing they pointed out that ten years have passed since the last rate hike.
If the increase is approved, the average passenger fare would increase by 23% and the driver’s salary would increase by 33%.
Members of the Taxi and Limousine Commission argue that this would make a big difference for drivers.
But some New Yorkers we spoke to believe this increase is too high and that the city government should do something to help taxi drivers.
“Many of us are also suffering with the economy and we have to save money, we have to eat less or pay less here, and having to know how to manage money ‘so’ scares me,” said Ivelisse Torres.
Among the proposed increases are the following:
- Increase the flat rate from $ 52 to $ 65 to go from Manhattan to JFK Airport.
- Trips to and from LaGuardia Airport would have an additional $ 5.
- And an additional $ 20 for travel to Newark Liberty International Airport.
The increase is not yet official. The TLC will be part of multiple public hearings to learn more about his plan.
The proposal also includes fare increases for Uber and Lyft customers, but details have not yet been disclosed.
