December 20, 2005

Taxis switch to zone fares during transit strike

Taxi and livery cab drivers are encouraged to pick up overlapping fares during the transit strike. Passengers will be charged based on the number of "zones" they cross, according to the New York City Strike Contigency Plan. The price will be "up to $10" for the "initial charge and travel in one fare zone" and $5 for each additional zone.

Here are the zones:

Zone A - Manhattan below 23rd Street
Zone B - Manhattan 23rd to 60th Street
Zone C - Manhattan 60th to 96th Street
Zone D - Manhattan 96th and above
Zone E - all of Brooklyn
Zone F - all of the Bronx
Zone G - all of Queens
Zone H - Staten Island

There will be a $5 per passenger for a ride in a commuter van, regardless of destination.

Even taxis and livery cabs entering Manhattan by bridge or tunnel below 96th Street during the morning commute will be subject to the 4-person carpool rules.

It remains to be seen how many taxi and livery cab drivers will show up to work during the strike, as two unions representing some of the those drivers -- the Taxi Workers Alliance and the United Drivers Group of America -- encouraged their drivers to stay home or only pick up one passenger at a time. Both unions said they wanted to support the transit workers, and the head of the taxi alliance said she was also worried her drivers could lose their licenses if they didn't understand the new fare system put into effect today.

Indeed, the city's web site warns: "Overcharges are not permitted. Any driver charging or attempting to charge fares in excess of the fares authorized by the TLC will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Passengers should report any instances to 3-1-1 or via the TLC’s website (www.nyc.gov/taxi)."

The city's web site also carries these sample fares:

Sample Trips

1. Bay Ridge to Midtown Manhattan:
• Up To $10 for initial pickup
• $5 to enter Zone A
• $5 to enter Zone B
• MAXIMUM FARE of $20 per person (plus any tolls)

2. Jackson Heights, Queens to Long Island City, Queens
• MAXIMUM FARE of $10 per person

3. Washington Heights to JFK Airport
• $30 per person

December 20, 2005 07:21 AM in Transportology

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