Cab fare hikes are here, cab fare hikes are here

If the Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade has its way, subway and bus riders won’t be the only New York commuters faced with the prospect of higher fares come 2011. As The Post reported late last night, the largest group of taxicab medallion owners in the city has requested a substantial fare hike. The new rates would represent a 19 percent increase, and the base fare would go up to $3 from $2.50, making a five-mile ride spike from $13 to $15.50.

Officials from the Board of Trade, which represents 3500 of the city’s 13,000 medallion owners, say it is requesting this hike to combat higher operating costs. “Operating costs have continued to increase over the last six years,” Michael Woloz, board spokesman, said. “The only way we’re able to offset costs is through an increase.”

Tom Namako and Bill Sanderson summarized the details of the fare hike request:

• Simply getting into a cab would increase from $2.50 to $3 — and that doesn’t include the 50 cent “MTA” tax Albany slapped onto the base fare last year.
• Increasing the flat fare to Kennedy Airport from $45 to $53, which is an 18 percent hike. That figure doesn’t count tolls or tip.
• Tinkering with the number of times a 40-cent “click” occurs — essentially speeding up the number of times a passenger is charged. Riders would therefore be charged 40 cents every sixth of a mile the cab moves — right now the charge occurs every fifth of a mile. That would increase the distance charge 20 percent.
• The owners also want to change the definition of an idling click to every minute a cab idles, or travels at 10 mph or below. Right now, per-minute idling clicks are charged at speeds of 12 mph or below.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission will eventually hold hearings on this proposal and vote on the measure. The Post notes that the last time the MTBT asked for a large request, they got their 26 percent fare hike in 2004. “The taxi industry has the right to petition for a fare increase, and we will evaluate that petition,” TLC Chairman David Yassky said. “Of course, we will examine that request. But the fact that the industry is requesting it – that, by no means, means the request will be granted.”

Meanwhile, if this request is approved, the taxi industry anticipates fewer riders but higher revenues. When the rates have gone up in the past, ridership has dropped by just three percent, but revenue in an industry with razor-thin profit margins increased by 15 percent. Those who eschew cabs will more than likely head underground for travel.

I have nothing against a taxi cab fare hike, and if it leads to fewer car trips and more subway riders, the city as a whole should benefit. I would though like to see the same level of hand-wringing over this fare hike as we do over increases to the subway fare. If people are willing to pay $30 for a shleppy cab ride form the East Side to Wall Street, they can stomach a more modest MTA fare hike as well.