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Taxi Bite Going Up in Big Apple

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From Associated Press

The cost of a cab ride in the city is about go up by more than 25% under the first fare increase in eight years.

The Taxi & Limousine Commission on Tuesday voted to raise the base rate for stepping into a cab from $2 to $2.50, and increase the price for every additional fifth of a mile from 30 cents to 40 cents, beginning in May.

The commission also approved a new $1-per-passenger charge between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

“We don’t want to take the chance that we’re going to have any shortage of drivers in the evenings,” said Matthew Daus, head of the commission.

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Owners and drivers of New York’s 12,000 cabs had petitioned for higher fares.

“You have a chance to change 30 years of driver income going down,” said Kevin Fitzpatrick, a driver and member of the United Taxi Workers Union.

The commission also raised the flat rate for a cab ride to Manhattan from Kennedy Airport in Queens from $35 to $45.

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