Comments on: Drivers, passengers bemoan MTA taxi surcharge

By: case in point

case in point — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:45:10 +0000

I was unaware of this and accused my cab driver this morning of tacking on a surcharge that doesn’t exist. I looked on the screen for “taxi info” and the surcharge hours had not changed. I cab it to work every morning, so I really didn’t think I was wrong. Now, I feel like a jerk. Maybe this will be motivation to wake up earlier and walk to work.

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:37:20 +0000

In Singapore, the start fare is S$2.40, and the fare increases in increments of 10 cents afterward; the meter clicks only slightly faster in Singapore, once per 240 meters versus once per 320 in New York. So for example, a free-flowing 10 km ride would cost $14.90 in New York, and $6.10 in Singapore.

The Singapore dollar trades at 1.40 to the US dollar, even after adjusting for living costs.

By: Mike Nitabach

Mike Nitabach — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:42:14 +0000

NYC taxis are cheaper than any city I have ever been in, in the US and elsewhere. The start fare in Japan is 660 Yen, which is about $8.

By: boblothrope

boblothrope — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:30:42 +0000

“bridge tolls will one day happen. When it does, … we can attempt to leave this stopgap array of taxes and fees in the dust.”

Ha ha. You seriously think that once we have (more) bridge tolls, they’ll repeal all the other MTA taxes, like the sales and income tax surcharges, and this new taxi fee?

“Although I rarely take taxis, I will not be basing my tip on the added 50¢ MTA surcharge.”

I hope you have fun with the 7.5 cents you’ll be saving on each taxi trip.

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:42:49 +0000

Is it 5% over the base amount, or 5% over the total? In other words, if the fare is $10.00 and I pay $11.50, does the credit card company take ¢50 or ¢57.5?

By: nyctaxiphoto

nyctaxiphoto — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:50:14 +0000

Oops, I mean 5% is deducted

By: nyctaxiphoto

nyctaxiphoto — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:01:51 +0000

what no one seems to realize is that we get 20% deducted from each credit card transaction, coupled with an occasional satellite failure which makes it harder to get money. mostly tips are better now with credit cards, but most nobody uses the suggested tips, and some still tip nothing. people never change only technology.

adding tolls on bridges would be the best solution, it would minimize traffic and therefore increase our income. Also bridge tolls would create a quicker source of income for the mta.

By: JAR

JAR — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:57:27 +0000

Oh, leave Kim D and taxi passengers out of this. You can’t blame anyone for taking advantage of NYC taxis. I love the subways, but seriously, if I ever have the money, I would rather not take them unless it’s faster. During the day there’s crowding and obnoxious passengers, bums, discourteous employees, and constant interruptions from fake outreach workers, and at night there are those same things, but drunker. I rarely feel unsafe on the subway, but lots of people do not feel safe – especially women at night. And SAS readers and commenters know that there are so many things the MTA could do to address every one of these issues, and potentially start appealing to more customers like all the people with more money that would rather not deal.
Taxing the bridges sounds better to me – taxi drivers are already treated like crap by enough people in this town.

By: KSK

KSK — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:02:45 +0000

Kim Dae – Must be hard to live in the West Village! Poor you!

By: Marsha

Marsha — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:50:26 +0000

Although I rarely take taxis, I will not be basing my tip on the added 50¢ MTA surcharge. I do not tip a waiter on the tax on my restaurant bill and I will not tip a taxi cab driver on the surcharge added to my cab fare.