For the first time since 2005 taxi fares are increasing.
"Our cabs carry 600,000 people a day and they need to earn enough to make a living," said David Yassky, Commissioner of the Taxi and Limousine Commission.
According to Yassky, the increase amounts to a 17 percent hike or a $1.50 to $2.00 for the average cab ride. A difference that may not seem like a lot to riders but to drivers, it's everything.
"We are making about $500 - $600 a month, said one cabbie.
"Like any person we need more money to survive," added another driver.
Flat rate fares to JFK Airport will also increase by $7.00 but the biggest change could be the six cents of every dollar earned by yellow cab drivers will go into a health benefits account.
Many times cab drivers live without medical benefits and are unable to afford them.
"About half of the drivers have no health insurance out there," said Yassky.
There is one big issue with the hike, the fact that it's happening in waves.
About one-third of all 13,000 cabs will have increased fares on day one creating confusion for passengers who may find themselves paying more for one ride than they would another.
Commissioner Yassky says it will be easy to tell the difference.
"If a cab has a new logo, new fare – old logo, old fare," said Yassky.
The fare hike officially goes into effect September 4, but cab drivers have until September 30 to recalibrate their meters.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:15:24 GMT
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers. Edwin Vargas was arrested Tuesday outside his home in Bronxville.
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:39 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:39:13 GMT
The MTA says limited service will resume this afternoon on Metro-North and Amtrak trains between New York and New Haven.
The MTA says limited service will resume this afternoon on Metro-North and Amtrak trains between New York and New Haven. Beginning with the 3:07 p.m. departure from Grand Central Terminal, Metro-North will operate about half of the regular eastbound PM peak service and regular hourly westbound service with the 4:23 PM train from New Haven. Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly, says the MTA.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:33 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:33:20 GMT
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:53 GMT
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:51 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:51:26 GMT
The Metropolitan Opera says it's decided to disband its resident ballet company.
The Metropolitan Opera says it's decided to disband its resident ballet company. The American Guild of Musical Artists said the eight remaining dancers of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet have accepted buyout packages.
