Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cab Drivers, Riders Call Fare Increase Unfair
By
Jen Carlson
Published Nov 2, 2009
Modified Nov 2, 2009
Share
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 .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Nov 2, 2009
Modified Nov 2, 2009
Share
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
Yesterday a 50-cent surcharge was tacked on to taxi fares as part of the state's MTA bailout, starting a cab ride with a $3 base fee... and no one is happy about it.
Yesterday about a dozen drivers stood outside of Penn Station in protest, with signs that read "Ax the tax," and "Even Homer Simpson would call it a Duhception." Many of them believe the extra cost will come out of their tips, and 45-year-old cabbie Victor Salazar told the Daily News, "We're hustling every single [moment] of our shifts. We're in the nickel-and-dime business. Everything counts."
Meanwhile, the NY Post talks to cab riders, some of whom vow to cut down on their vehicular vice. One woman told the paper, "I think the surcharge is ridiculous. I was very irritated when I got into the taxi today." Will hailing a cab become more of a luxury now? Bhairavi Desai of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance told the NY Times: “On shorter fares, riders will opt to walk or take the subway."
Tagged
50 cents
bailout
cab
fare
MTA
protest
taxi
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
ICE agent fires 7 rounds, shoots man in neck in NYC's Marble Hill, NYPD says
Police say the man arrived at a hospital in stable condition and a 5-year-old boy in his SUV is safe.
By
Giulia Heyward
and
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 8, 2026 at 5:33 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 8, 2026 at 11:48 p.m. ET
Lazy drivers in Prospect Heights lose chance for 1 less day of alternate-side parking
A pilot found that drivers actually complied with alternate-side less when fewer days were in effect.
By
Liam Quigley
News
Lazy drivers in Prospect Heights lose chance for 1 less day of alternate-side parking
A pilot found that drivers actually complied with alternate-side less when fewer days were in effect.
By
Liam Quigley
Jersey City mayor shakes up staff amid $255M budget gap
By
Michael Sol Warren
Bronx residents will be exempt from new Medicaid work rule, state officials say
By
Caroline Lewis
MTA chair accuses Andy Byford, who's leading Penn Station rebuild, of going 'full MAGA'
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Carol Chen
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 .