City approves increase in cab fares, first raise for taxi drivers in a decade

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The Taxi and Limousine Commission voted on Tuesday to approve an increase in taxicab fares, the first raise for the city’s cabbies in a decade.

Base fares for yellow and green cabs will increase from $2.50 to $3, with unit rates increasing from 50 to 70 cents. Rush hour and overnight surcharges will go to $2.50 and $1, respectively. Flat fares to Kennedy Airport will increase from $52 to $70, while LaGuardia runs will add a $5 surcharge.

App-based rideshare drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft, meanwhile, will get a 7% per-minute raise, while per-mile compensation will bump up by 24%.

“Raising taxi fare rates and minimum pay for high-volume drivers is the right thing to do for our city,” said TLC Commissioner David Do in a statement. “This is the first taxi fare increase in ten years, and these raises will help offset increased operating expenses and the cost of living for TLC-licensed drivers. We are confident that today’s unanimous Commission vote will keep our taxi and FHV fleets sustainable and ready to serve New Yorkers.”