Yellow NYC Cab Fare Hikes in Effect

Increased fares for yellow taxi cabs went into effect early Tuesday, the first fare hike the city has seen since 2006, says the New York Times.

As of 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, operators of yellow taxis can now charge about 17 percent more for each ride, after recalibrating their meters and updating external markings.

Operators will not be required to institute the fares until their first scheduled inspections after Sept. 30, though, meaning that the taxis roaming the streets will probably include a mixture of old and new rates for the next several weeks, says the Times.

“We anticipate that many taxicab operators will implement the new fare structure as of Sept. 4, so it is extremely important that taxi riders know and understand it,” David S. Yassky, the chairman of the taxi commission, said in a statement. “The taxi industry appears to be experiencing a smooth transition to the new structure, and we want passengers to experience a smooth transition as well.”

The , upping the cost of each fifth of a mile an extra 10 cents. The base fee for a ride remains the same. Trips from Manhattan to JFK Airport will now cost $52, plus tolls.

Six cents from every trip will go towards a fund for driver health care.

What do you think of taxi fares in New York City? Too high? Let us know in the comments section below.