“The Traffic Mobility Review Board and project sponsors were focused on how to give an exemption to taxis, and defended this by insinuating you could charge riders an almost unlimited increase in costs for trips in Uber or Lyft,” said Johnnie Green, an NYC pastor. “A thoughtful, reasonable approach to taxis and FHVs in the congestion pricing plan would be one that ensures everyone is treated equally. Think about who uses these services and why. Then, instead of exempting the wealthier ridership largely moving around the city’s most transit-rich neighborhoods, consider a reduced fare for both types of vehicles – one that brings much needed revenue into the MTA, but that also doesn’t simply shift riders from a black car to a yellow car, or forces the grandmother in Flatbush to choose between safe and reliable transit and groceries.”
“We are grateful the discussion is moving towards a per trip passenger charge, rather than a new cost for drivers,” an anonymous industry advocate noted in a recent email to Traffic Mobility Review Board members. “The MTA stated that yellow taxis are more dependent on the congestion zone, since they don’t operate citywide, whereas Uber and Lyft operate citywide. There is no law or rule that relegates yellow taxis to the congestion zone. Taxis are able to pick up in all five boroughs – they choose to do their work in midtown and lower Manhattan.”
Source: New York Daily News
