Taxi Fares Could Rise 23% Under NYC Plan

NEW YORK CITY — Riding in a New York City taxi or Uber could soon get more expensive.

The average yellow cab fare will increase 23 percent under a spate of proposed rule changes being considered by Taxi and Limousine Commission officials.

The proposal — which is up for public comment Oct. 6 — would be the first major change to taxi rates since 2012, before Uber, Lyft and other for-hire vehicles exploded on the city’s streets and shook up the yellow cab industry, according to a commission document.

“The proposed taximeter rate of fare increase, creation of a new LaGuardia Airport surcharge, the Kennedy Airport flat fare increase and other increases to surcharges will help address the challenges of the evolving taxicab and street hail livery sectors and their need for revitalization by putting more money in the pockets of drivers,” the document states.

Taxi drivers would see their revenue increase by 33 percent, according to the document.

To do that, the proposal includes a number of increases, starting with raising the taxi rate of $2.50 to $3.

Other surcharges would be increased, including:

• Raising the rush hour surcharge from $1.00 to $2.50.

• Increasing the nighttime surcharge from $0.50 to $1.00.

New Yorkers and out-of-town visitors looking to fly could also see their airport trips become more expensive.

A new $5 surcharge will be added to all taxi trips to and from LaGuardia Airport, under the proposal.

The flat fare for trips between Manhattan and JFK Airport would be increased from $52 to $65 under the proposal, along with a rush hour surcharge hike from $4.50 to $5.

And the Newark Airport surcharge will be increased from $17.50 to $20.00.

A public hearing will be livestreamed Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. at www.nyc.gov/tlc.

People who want participate are asked to email tlcrules@tlc.nyc.gov or call 212-676-1135 by Oct. 5.