Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

News

City Gets Ready for Possible Taxi Strike

Jen Chung

Published Sep 4, 2007

Modified Mar 7, 2008

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Jen Chung

Published Sep 4, 2007

Modified Mar 7, 2008

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Mayor Bloomberg announced that the city was prepared for the possible two-day taxi strike that some taxi driver groups have threatened for tomorrow morning, starting at 5AM. About 7,000 of the city's 44,000 taxi drivers (there are about 13,000 cabs in total) have reportedly promised to strike over new technology that the Taxi and Limousine Commission wants to install in all cabs. Some drivers' issues with the technology, which includes GPS tracking systems and credit card payment systems, are that (a) the GPS has no navigational capabilities and (b) when the technology breaks down, the taxi fare meter breaks down, too, costing them money. The city,though, views these measures as necessary customer service initiatives.

The TLC and Office of Emergency Management, has created a system of "amended fare structures that permits and encourages group rides and flat rate fares to and from LaGuardia (LGA) and Kennedy (JFK) airports." So, if you're going to the airport tomorrow and there is a strike, this is what taxis will cost:

Trips to/from Manhattan and JFK will be a $30 flat fare per person, while trips to/from Manhattan and LGA would be $20 per person. Zone charges would dictate fares for trips to/from airports and boroughs other than Manhattan. The City also reserves the right to allow livery hails if the TLC determines that it is necessary after evaluating the situation. Subsequent public announcements about plans will be made by the TLC.

In all cases:

If riders to/from LGA and JFK airport select the group ride option, they will be required to adhere to the flat fare or zone based system.

All riders to/from LGA and JFK have the option to choose non-group rides. In that scenario, normal metered rates will apply.

Tolls are included in all zone-based and flat fare rides.

Charges apply to adult riders only. Children under 12 ride free with adults

CHARGE (PER PERSON) DESCRIPTION
$30 (Per Person) Trips To/From Manhattan and JFK
$20 (Per Person) Trips To/From Manhattan and LGA
ZONE CHARGES Trips To/From JFK or LGA from boroughs other than Manhattan

If riders choose the group ride option for travel to/from JFK or LGA and boroughs other than Manhattan, they will be required to adhere to a zone-based fare structure. The zone-based fare structure citywide charges $10 per person within a given zone, and an additional $5 per person for each zone subsequently entered or passed through. Below are the zones:
ZONE AREA
Zone A Manhattan: South of 23rd Street
Zone B Manhattan: 23rd Street – 60th Street
Zone C Manhattan: 60th Street – 96th Street
Zone D Manhattan: North of 96th Street
Zone E Brooklyn
Zone F The Bronx
Zone G Queens
Zone H Staten Island

We bet that some drivers would prefer this pay system than the current ones, as they'll be able to get more per passenger.

The MTA will be adding more service to the M60 and Q33 bus routes. And the NYPD will add more officers to guard taxi strike breakers. The Sun reports that two New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers (a group that opposes a strike) were allegedly assaulted by members of the pro-strike New York Taxi Workers Alliance. When the Sun called the NYTWA, the man who "answered the phone... denied that [the NYSFTD] is a valid organization before hanging up the phone." Yikes, warring taxi unions!

Photograph of a taxi cab over the Brooklyn Bridge by paulocarrillo on Flickr

Tagged

announcements

bloomberg

bronx

brooklyn

brooklyn bridge

bus

children

city

customer service

emergency management

fare

flickr

JFK

jfk airport

Limousine Commission

manhattan

mayor

mayor bloomberg

money

MTA

new york

new york state

New York State Federation

new york taxi workers alliance

News: NYC

nypd

office

PER PERSON

photos

queens

staten island

strike

taxi driver

taxi drivers

taxis

technology

the bronx

the city

The MTA

the sun

The TLC

tlc

travel

zone b

Zone C

Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE news

NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks

A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.

Catalina Gonella

Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET

Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church

Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.

Giulia Heyward

News

Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church

Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.

Giulia Heyward

Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law

Gino Fanelli

NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting

Ryan Kost

Elizabeth Kim

and

Phil Corso

Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home

Ryan Kost

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .