By Rebecca Henely
The city Taxi & Limousine Commission’s board has voted to increase taxi fares by 17 percent sometime in September, the first jump in rates since 2006.
Allan Fromberg, spokesman for the TLC, said the initial fare of $2.50 plus a 50 cent tax for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will remain the same, but the rate of the rest of the trip will increase. For every one-fifth of a mile the taxi travels at 6 mph or more and for every 60 seconds the taxi spends idling, riders will now be charged 50 cents instead of 40.
The flat fare to or from Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport will also increase from $45 to $52.
Fromberg said the commission’s board made the decision based on testimony at two public hearings and approved the increase last Thursday. After the decision is published in the City Record, there will be a 30-day wait time for the new rates to go into effect. More time will be allowed for the drivers to recalibrate their meters, get new overlay stickers for their doors and replace their rate cards.
The TLC expects drivers to see the increase in September.
Fromberg said the riding public has been accepting of the fare rise.
“They know it’s been six years since they’ve received an increase,” he said. “They know what the situation is in this economy.”
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
