City Prepares for Taxi Strike

Photo by Bob Jagendorf via Flickr

As the New York Taxi Worker's Alliance set up a "strike hall" at the headquarters of the Transport Workers Union Local 100 on Tuesday, the city announced contingency plans to combat a cabbie work stoppage set to take effect at 5 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The MTA will be running extra trains and buses, and the those hacks that choose to operate can collect a flat fee from multiple passengers making the trip to LaGuardia or JFK. The TLC is also reserving the right to allow livery cabs to make street stops.

From the mayor's office:

The contingency plan will go into effect at 12:00 AM on September 5, 2007. If the TLC determines the labor action by drivers is not significantly impacting taxi service, it will be cancelled. If the contingency plan is cancelled, all normal taxi fare structures will immediately be put back in place. Trips to/from Manhattan and JFK will be a $30 flat fare per person, while trips to/from Manhattan and LGA would be $20 per person. Zone charges would dictate fares for trips to/from airports and boroughs other than Manhattan. The City also reserves the right to allow livery hails if the TLC determines that it is necessary after evaluating the situation. Subsequent public announcements about plans will be made by the TLC. In all cases:

If riders to/from LGA and JFK airport select the group ride option, they will be required to adhere to the flat fare or zone based system.

All riders to/from LGA and JFK have the option to choose non-group rides. In that scenario, normal metered rates will apply.

Tolls are included in all zone-based and flat fare rides.

Charges apply to adult riders only. Children under 12 ride free with adults

The MTA will be providing additional service on the M60 and Q33 bus routes to/from LGA. The M60 transports riders between LGA and Manhattan, running along 125th Street and making connections with the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, B, C, and D subway lines, as well as Metro-North Railroad. The Q33 connects LGA with the 74th St. – Broadway Station in Jackson Heights, Queens, where connections to the 7, E, F, R, V, and G subway lines is available. Travelers at JFK can use the AirTrain to connect to the A train at the Howard Beach station, or the E, J, and Z trains at the Sutphin Boulevard station.

Any driver charging or attempting to charge fares in excess of the fares authorized by the TLC will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Passengers can report complaints or get updated information to 311 or via the TLC’s website by clicking on www.NYC.gov and following the links to TLC.

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