NYC Taxi Fare Hike Takes Effect, But Pay Raise For Uber Drivers Halted

NEW YORK CITY ? A pair of long-awaited wage and rate increases for the drivers who get people around New York City ended up in different destinations as they were expected to begin this week.

Taxi fares increased to a $3 base rate Monday, as part of an overall 23 percent hike approved by city officials.

But another big change given the green light by Taxi and Limousine Commission officials ? a pay hike for drivers of ride-share apps such as Uber and Lyft ? that was slated to take effect Monday got stopped.

A New York City judge temporarily halted the pay raise after a lawsuit by Uber, prompting hundreds of Uber and Lyft drivers to protest by driving across the Brooklyn Bridge.

?Uber is the grinch who stole Christmas for tens of thousands of New York City families and today drivers showed up in force to send a clear signal to Uber,? said Asia Ban, the organizing driver for the Independent Drivers Guild, a union representing the workers.

While Uber and Lyft drivers protest, New Yorkers can still expect changes to taxi fares.

Among those slated to take effect Monday are, according to the Taxi and Limousine Commssion:

• A $3.00 initial charge.
• Plus 70 cents per 1/5 mile when traveling above 12 mph or per 60 seconds in slow traffic or when the vehicle is stopped.
• Plus 50 cents MTA State Surcharge for all trips that end in New York City or Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Orange or Putnam Counties.
• Plus $1.00 Improvement Surcharge.
• Plus $1.00 overnight surcharge 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Plus $2.50 rush hour surcharge from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays.
• Plus New York State Congestion Surcharge of $2.50 (Yellow Taxi) or $2.75 (Green Taxi and FHV) or 75 cents (any shared ride) for all trips that begin, end or pass through Manhattan south of 96th Street.