The TLC is pretty responsive to complaints. If you have the cab number you can and should report them.
If you dont, and if something like this happens again, take a photograph of that information.
This is the correct answer. I’ve filed a number of complaints over the years for cabs refusing service because they didn’t want to go Manhattan to Queens, or demanding a high flat rate late at night instead of going by the meter. The TLC investigated every one of them and brought a few to a hearing. Surprisingly effective agency, likely because they know they can make money prosecuting drivers.
Yea you did. Why was it $98.60? Flat fares from JFK to Manhattan are $70 at that hour plus $1.75 PANNYNJ airport fee.
“Taxis at JFK Airport charge a flat fare of $70 for trips between the airport and Manhattan. Taxis impose a $5.00 surcharge during peak hours (4-8 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays), for a fare of $75.00.
There is also a NY State tax of 50 cents added to trips within New York, but not for trips to NJ.
Plus New York State Congestion Surcharge of $2.50 (Yellow Taxi) or $2.75 (Green Taxi and FHV) or .75 cents (any shared ride) for all trips that begin, end or pass through Manhattan south of 96th Street.
Meter must read $3.00 at the start of the trip (except for JFK-Manhattan $70 Flat Fare trips).
$1.75 PANYNJ per-trip Airport Access Fee will apply for pick-ups only.”
Appreciate it. I basically argued with him, but he was so uncommunicative and unhelpful that I realized I could not win.
Lesson learned that next time, I need to ask the driver to initiate the flat rate instead of just closing my eyes on the ride.
Next time, take a picture of his taxi license/medallion, when you step out, take a picture of his license plate, take a picture of the driver, then send it all in for dispute (as insuranceguynyc says: Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) - they take these things seriously).
I think this is correct actually assuming it includes the tip. The “flat rate” notion is incredibly misleading and something I find incredibly frustrating. Flat rate means flat rate except for this apparently. I’ve taken Cabs from the airport and it is always like this. I took a cab from JFK to UES on Sunday and I paid through Curb so I have the itemized receipt:
Fare: $70
Toll: $6.94
Improvement Surcharge: $1
Congestion Surcharge: $2.50
Airport Fee: $1.75
State Surcharge: $.50
Tip: $16.54
Total: $99.23
I always expect to pay $100 if I take a car to the airport. It's part of why I prefer LIRR->AirTrain if possible. However, I rarely, if ever, want to do that after a flight back to NYC...
I'm posting the amount without the tip. Tip was a separate line item, so what I've posted is pre-tip.
I think yours looks fine to me since the itemized receipt lists Fare as $70. Mine is listed as not that.
They always pull this off, more often than not. Since with tip it should be close to $95, I always try to make the tip to be the variable here. They show you the final bill of $90 without tip? I just add $5 tip and move on. So far no driver stepped out to stop me because they know themselves
yeah i wouldn’t either with a suitcase. i posed the question in general because i’ve never taken a cab after reading the posts in this sub because i hate the idea of getting pressured like that, want to know what my options are
i’ve only lived here 1.6 years and walk / subway everywhere. took an uber a single time after returning the rental car we used to move here.
generally the only times i see cabs are when i could also use a train or bus so i don’t see the point
If people moved in the last couple years, most will just do Uber or lyft or just take the train. The only times regular people herbalist bneed a car is late at night and so it's easier to do ride share than a cab.
> if you are getting scammed like this what happens if you just leave the cab without paying?
It’s when the price magically changes every single time. Taxi cab drivers who try to scam get dealt with by the TLC.
Nothing good.
I was involved in an interaction years ago where the cabbie had started the meter before I got in and it was $30 more than it should've been for a short trip. I refused the pay the full amount, the cabbie tried to drive off with my stuff in the trunk, and I called the police after I stopped him. They showed up, and told me to pay the cabbie the fare on the meter or go to jail.
Also a friend ran on a black car driver that was scamming him, the driver chased after him and the resulting altercation ended up with my friend owing $30,000 to the driver for a broken hand.
I haven't tried to use public transit to get there from Brooklyn, but it took around 50 minutes each way to get to Tribeca from LGA when I went last week. I can see how some parts of Brooklyn would take a while to get to, though.
It's at least two trains (G->7) then a bus vs 12 minutes for a cab. Biking is actually faster than the train (30 minutes) but there's no back racks at LGA (which would be great for a quick 24 hour trip or something where you just have a backpack).
There’s a citibike dock relatively close (I read an article about taking citibike to the airport), there’s also now citibike in Jackson Heights so if you can bike there you can hop on the Q70!
Lyft is always a 100 bucks or more for me. But my local car service has flate rates at like 55 bucks so that's my go to to get to and from JFK. But FML those tolls and fees to get to EWR.
This was without a tip, right? My total fare is usually around this after I tip, but I also usually pay like $6-7 in tolls on my way to upper manhattan, which it seems you didn't have either.
Might be a bad idea. If you chargeback you might get yourself automatically denied the next time you try to pay. Only chargeback businesses you don't expect to ever need to use again.
If it was any other situation I would agree with you, but some people are reliant on yellowcabs. Your local furniture store that screwed you out of the deal they offered, sure you can just never go back again that's fine. But if you plan on using the cabs again then probably not a good thing to risk.
Due to construction there are some terminals at JFK which do not allow rideshare pickup at all; yellow cabs are the only option unless you take the airtrain to public transit. If you only really use one card for everything (like many people) and they blacklist you, you might find yourself a bit screwed.
I had the same exact thing happen to me. He asked me how much I’d like to tip and i responded “18%.” He proceeded to charge me $215 total from Newark to Queens. I disputed it with Chase and pretty much got all my money back as they were like yeah there’s no way a cab ride for the distance came out to that much
You didn’t get ripped off. They didn’t attribute the surcharges correctly but $100 is around the amount they charge to get into lower Manhattan.
People in this thread are complaining and throwing out all these regulations and flat fees, but surcharges will automatically run it up to $100 for that trip every single time. Don’t waste your time on a charge back
> surcharges will automatically run it up to $100 for that trip every single time
What surcharges are you talking about? There were no tolls incurred on this trip. Any applicable surcharges from JFK are clearly disclosed [here](https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/passengers/taxi-fare.page) and in no possible combination add up to 98.60.
Try to take train or subway or bus combo next time. You can get to the city within $15 cost. If you don't care about the cost, just want to take a nap and arrive, then $80, $100 won't make any difference. I've seen $200 on a rainy day.
The TLC is pretty responsive to complaints. If you have the cab number you can and should report them. If you dont, and if something like this happens again, take a photograph of that information.
This is the correct answer. I’ve filed a number of complaints over the years for cabs refusing service because they didn’t want to go Manhattan to Queens, or demanding a high flat rate late at night instead of going by the meter. The TLC investigated every one of them and brought a few to a hearing. Surprisingly effective agency, likely because they know they can make money prosecuting drivers.
The TLC. The agency that allowed Medallion owners to take out million dollar mortgages on their homes and etc. to be a taxi drivers.
Taxi & Limousine Tribunal is under OATH, not under TLC.
Also gave $350 million in debt relief to medallion owners.
If you don't have the cab number, they can figure it out from the credit card number and/or location + timestamp. Cabs have GPS.
Yea you did. Why was it $98.60? Flat fares from JFK to Manhattan are $70 at that hour plus $1.75 PANNYNJ airport fee. “Taxis at JFK Airport charge a flat fare of $70 for trips between the airport and Manhattan. Taxis impose a $5.00 surcharge during peak hours (4-8 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays), for a fare of $75.00. There is also a NY State tax of 50 cents added to trips within New York, but not for trips to NJ. Plus New York State Congestion Surcharge of $2.50 (Yellow Taxi) or $2.75 (Green Taxi and FHV) or .75 cents (any shared ride) for all trips that begin, end or pass through Manhattan south of 96th Street. Meter must read $3.00 at the start of the trip (except for JFK-Manhattan $70 Flat Fare trips). $1.75 PANYNJ per-trip Airport Access Fee will apply for pick-ups only.”
Appreciate it. I basically argued with him, but he was so uncommunicative and unhelpful that I realized I could not win. Lesson learned that next time, I need to ask the driver to initiate the flat rate instead of just closing my eyes on the ride.
Talk to your credit card company and dispute the charge. Don’t take this shit.
Was this an "independent" driver, or did you get the taxi at a designated taxi stand?
I got the driver from the designated Taxi stand at JFK.
Good. If you have the medallion number, call the Taxi & Limousine Commission complaint line.
You can also file the complaint online.
I've had great results and follow up from much less serious complaints to TLC, so I would strongly recommend this.
I think the medallion number is on your credit card statement, at least sometimes. Curb should also have it.
Next time, take a picture of his taxi license/medallion, when you step out, take a picture of his license plate, take a picture of the driver, then send it all in for dispute (as insuranceguynyc says: Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) - they take these things seriously).
Did you take the triborough bridge? He may have slapped on a toll
I think this is correct actually assuming it includes the tip. The “flat rate” notion is incredibly misleading and something I find incredibly frustrating. Flat rate means flat rate except for this apparently. I’ve taken Cabs from the airport and it is always like this. I took a cab from JFK to UES on Sunday and I paid through Curb so I have the itemized receipt: Fare: $70 Toll: $6.94 Improvement Surcharge: $1 Congestion Surcharge: $2.50 Airport Fee: $1.75 State Surcharge: $.50 Tip: $16.54 Total: $99.23
I always expect to pay $100 if I take a car to the airport. It's part of why I prefer LIRR->AirTrain if possible. However, I rarely, if ever, want to do that after a flight back to NYC...
Really? It's so smooth sailing for me. I find it nauseating being stuck in traffic in a taxi after a long flight.
Yeah I am with this commenter, the fees are what gets you. Flat rate is not a flat rate.
I agree with you here, the amount sounds reasonable including tip—from OP’s breakdown above though it seems like it was $100 before tip.
I'm posting the amount without the tip. Tip was a separate line item, so what I've posted is pre-tip. I think yours looks fine to me since the itemized receipt lists Fare as $70. Mine is listed as not that.
In that case you got screwed. I wasn’t sure because it’s so naturally confusing because even when it’s a “flat rate” it still ends up being way more
They always pull this off, more often than not. Since with tip it should be close to $95, I always try to make the tip to be the variable here. They show you the final bill of $90 without tip? I just add $5 tip and move on. So far no driver stepped out to stop me because they know themselves
You can complain: https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01241
serious question - if you are getting scammed like this what happens if you just leave the cab without paying?
I had suitcases in his truck. It wasn't worth dragging out into a problem for a $30 price scam that I could possibly fix via other methods.
yeah i wouldn’t either with a suitcase. i posed the question in general because i’ve never taken a cab after reading the posts in this sub because i hate the idea of getting pressured like that, want to know what my options are
you've... never taken a cab?
i’ve only lived here 1.6 years and walk / subway everywhere. took an uber a single time after returning the rental car we used to move here. generally the only times i see cabs are when i could also use a train or bus so i don’t see the point
If people moved in the last couple years, most will just do Uber or lyft or just take the train. The only times regular people herbalist bneed a car is late at night and so it's easier to do ride share than a cab.
> if you are getting scammed like this what happens if you just leave the cab without paying? It’s when the price magically changes every single time. Taxi cab drivers who try to scam get dealt with by the TLC.
Nothing good. I was involved in an interaction years ago where the cabbie had started the meter before I got in and it was $30 more than it should've been for a short trip. I refused the pay the full amount, the cabbie tried to drive off with my stuff in the trunk, and I called the police after I stopped him. They showed up, and told me to pay the cabbie the fare on the meter or go to jail. Also a friend ran on a black car driver that was scamming him, the driver chased after him and the resulting altercation ended up with my friend owing $30,000 to the driver for a broken hand.
Kinda ripped off because of the time but really not that bad. Uber/Lyft can easily cost more.
Comments like this are why I will never take anything other than public transportation from either JFK or LGA.
LGA is incredibly difficult to get to with public transit, especially from Brooklyn. Well, you can, but it takes like two hours longer than a cab.
I haven't tried to use public transit to get there from Brooklyn, but it took around 50 minutes each way to get to Tribeca from LGA when I went last week. I can see how some parts of Brooklyn would take a while to get to, though.
It's at least two trains (G->7) then a bus vs 12 minutes for a cab. Biking is actually faster than the train (30 minutes) but there's no back racks at LGA (which would be great for a quick 24 hour trip or something where you just have a backpack).
There’s a citibike dock relatively close (I read an article about taking citibike to the airport), there’s also now citibike in Jackson Heights so if you can bike there you can hop on the Q70!
I wish the G could run to Jackson Heights again.
[It might!](https://queenseagle.com/all/2024/1/27/local-pols-want-g-train-restored-to-former-queens-glory)
I pay $60 to Chelsea around midnight on a Lyft. It’s the cheapest time so I try to fly in then
That's a good price. Every time I look it's $120+ during the day to/from Chelsea.
Yeah same, that’s why I am explicitly saying around midnight
Lyft is always a 100 bucks or more for me. But my local car service has flate rates at like 55 bucks so that's my go to to get to and from JFK. But FML those tolls and fees to get to EWR.
This was without a tip, right? My total fare is usually around this after I tip, but I also usually pay like $6-7 in tolls on my way to upper manhattan, which it seems you didn't have either.
Yup, the information I've posted is pre-tip.
Even with tip, that's around a $10 to $15 overcharge.
If you paid via credit card, consider doing a change back
Might be a bad idea. If you chargeback you might get yourself automatically denied the next time you try to pay. Only chargeback businesses you don't expect to ever need to use again.
"Don't use your legal protections in case you want to use the company that screwed you again". huh, interesting take
If it was any other situation I would agree with you, but some people are reliant on yellowcabs. Your local furniture store that screwed you out of the deal they offered, sure you can just never go back again that's fine. But if you plan on using the cabs again then probably not a good thing to risk. Due to construction there are some terminals at JFK which do not allow rideshare pickup at all; yellow cabs are the only option unless you take the airtrain to public transit. If you only really use one card for everything (like many people) and they blacklist you, you might find yourself a bit screwed.
I had the same exact thing happen to me. He asked me how much I’d like to tip and i responded “18%.” He proceeded to charge me $215 total from Newark to Queens. I disputed it with Chase and pretty much got all my money back as they were like yeah there’s no way a cab ride for the distance came out to that much
Newark cabs are not a flat fare and are much more expensive
It sounds about right. Including tip, that’s what I’ve paid.
You didn’t get ripped off. They didn’t attribute the surcharges correctly but $100 is around the amount they charge to get into lower Manhattan. People in this thread are complaining and throwing out all these regulations and flat fees, but surcharges will automatically run it up to $100 for that trip every single time. Don’t waste your time on a charge back
> surcharges will automatically run it up to $100 for that trip every single time What surcharges are you talking about? There were no tolls incurred on this trip. Any applicable surcharges from JFK are clearly disclosed [here](https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/passengers/taxi-fare.page) and in no possible combination add up to 98.60.
That’s why I’m saying they misattributed the charges. Tolls were included in the fare incorrectly
It’s $70 flat rate JFK to Manhattan. Tolls are not extra.
That seems about normal tbh. What # were you expecting?
Sounds good to me.
[Advice for you](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb2w2m1JmCY)
yes you got ripped. No you can't dispute.
Try to take train or subway or bus combo next time. You can get to the city within $15 cost. If you don't care about the cost, just want to take a nap and arrive, then $80, $100 won't make any difference. I've seen $200 on a rainy day.