Taxi and rideshare drivers rally outside City Hall in support of raising meter rates
NEW YORK -- For the first time in a decade, New York City is considering a fare hike for taxi drivers getting squeezed by record-high inflation.
Monday, CBS2's Natalie Duddridge spoke with cab drivers calling for help
"We're not asking to make it rich ... Just asking to have a decent rate," said Wain Chin, who's been driving for more than 20 years.
Taxi drivers rallied for a raise outside City Hall. Inside, the Taxi and Limousine Commission held a hearing discussing increasing drivers' income for the first time since 2012.
Cab drivers said, in just the last few months, the weekly cost to fill up has gone up by hundreds.
"Now gas is very expensive. Before it was just like $2.50 or $2.75," said Balkar Singh.
"Everything is up. House, rent, food," said Samkar Padder.
Drivers are asking the TLC to adjust meter rates to be able to make $25 per hour after expenses.
"Right now, we're making less than $15," Chin said.
That would mean about $2 more per trip for customers.
"If they can charge a wage and they can get it to where it comes up a parity, I'd be fully supportive," one person said.
"I think if they go higher, people will be doing a lot more walking," another person said.
Currently, it cost $3.30 plus surcharges just to get in a cab. But they don't get to keep it all.
"Eighty cents of that does not go directly to the driver. Then if you're going 96th Street and below there could be a surcharge of $2.50, which goes also to the MTA," said Bhairavi Desai from the New York Taxi Workers Alliance.
"I'm working 14 hours every day, seven days a week," said Richard Chow.
Chow said the industry can be crushing. His brother, who also drove a yellow cab, died by suicide after his $750,000 medallion debt became too overwhelming.
"In total, nine drivers committed suicide, including my brother Kenny," Chow said.
As for next steps, the TLC has to issue a formal fare proposal that has to be passed by the Board of Commissioners.
