PaullyInNYC

NEW YORK -- The group that represents the city's taxi drivers has filed a petition to increase the cost of a Yellow Cab to $4 before it even leaves the curb.The city's cab drivers are asking for a fare increase, saying that gasoline prices are soaring and no one is helping to offset their costs to keep driving. The cab drivers said the rising cost of gas is taking money out of their pockets."Gas has doubled over the last two years," said Fernando Mateo of the New York State Federation of Cab Drivers. "The last time we got a raise, gas was $1.60 a gallon. Today, gas is $3.20 cents a gallon minimally."There were reports that the cab drivers have filed a petition with the Taxi and Limousine Commission asking for a surcharge of $1.50 per trip whenever the average price per gallon on regular grade gasoline in New York City rises above $2.50.
No one is picking up that extra cost," Mateo said. "Drivers are taking a lot less money home. We are nervous. We are afraid come summertime, when peak season for New York, we are not going to have enough drivers to provide the service."TLC Commissioner Matthew Daus said, "at this time, gas prices remain below last year's peak levels, and we will continue to monitor them. There is a process through which the industry can request a fare review, and we will follow that process."New Yorkers and tourists who use cabs are split over whether the surcharge is a good idea."They should not lose their wages because gas prices go up," said Ailya Mosbey of Baltimore."You know, a normal guy in New York might take a cab twice a day," said Todd Haushalter of Manhattan. "You know, you are talking $3 times 30 days, that's $90 a month. If you are making a lot of money, it's not a big deal, but to a normal family man, yes, it's a big deal."

TheMan

Yea gas prices are affecting everything these days. I do understand where the cab drivers are coming from, i mean they have to pay for their gas and it definitly cuts into their salary, at the same time I dont see how we are gonna be able to afford a cab ride anywhere. I also like how the price per barrel went down recently, yet the gas stations havent lowered their prices. These companies are taking us for idiots, has anyone noticed that gas prices have remained the same although the barrel price went down???

latenite77

So did prices go up or not?? The price per barrel went down and has stayed stagnant for a few days. Just wondering what the deal is being that I dont pay attention when im riding around in the cab. Let me know for my own sense of curiousity is killing me to know if the price actually went up. Those NYC cab drivers recently have been killing my wallet, wandering if this could be the reason.

TheMan

I have a feeling with the war going on between Israel and Hezbollah and the Labenese militants, gas prices will sky rocket come Augest. I think the wall street journal said the price per barrel went up to 77 dollars and some change. Thats pretty insane. Hence I belive nyc cab drivers will eventually increase there prices some more.