Taxi Surcharge
Reader comment on: Mayor's Congestion-Pricing Plan Advancing, With Some Changes

Submitted by Abe, Jan 31, 2008 07:06

Taxis should be part of the solution. Taxis are public transportation. A surcharge on taxis would limit their use. Putting a surcharge on taxi rides will be extremely difficult to collect. Riders will cut back on tips to the drivers. Owners will have to collect the surcharges from the drivers, Drivers will not want to pay. Ultimately owners will have to pay the city money that they will not be able to collect from the drivers. If the drivers are somehow forced to pay the fees to the owners and feel they were not able to collect them from the passengers, they will suffer and quit.

It should be noted that when drivers wanted a $1 surcharge to offset gas prices the city was unwilling to let them have it. But, now that the city would be the recipient of the revenue they are willing to have this surcharge. It should also be noted that gas prices will probably rise more.

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