New York taxis are licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and provide an essential service to New Yorkers and tourists alike for getting around this fabulous city, offering comfort, reliability, convenience and affordability. There are over 12,000 yellow medallion taxicabs so it doesn’t take long to spot one.
What does a New York taxi look like?
New York taxis come in many different shapes and sizes however to be official TLC taxicabs they require the following features:
They need to be painted yellow. This colour has now come to symbolize a New York taxi.
A medallion number, this is a unique identification for that taxi and comprises of one number, followed by one letter plus two more numbers that must be displayed (normally on the rear doors after the checker pattern). A bronze badge with the same medallion number should also be displayed on the hood.
On the doors the current rates and the official NYC taxi logo should be displayed. On the roof top should be a set of lights. The main light illuminates the medallion number and at either sides of the main light are the ‘Off Duty’ signs which maybe illuminated.
Only taxis with the above are legally licensed to pick you up!
What are the current models?
You will soon notice that New York taxis come in a variety of makes and models, listed below are the most popular however as from 2013 the Nissan NV200 'Taxi of Tomorrow' will come into production and over the next decade the models below will get phased out.
Ford Crown Victoria. Ford Escape Hybrid. Ford Freestar. Ford Explorer. Toyota Camry Hybrid. Toyota Sienna. Toyota Prius. Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Nissan Altima. Volkswagon Jetta. Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. Dodge Caravan. Lexus Rx400h. Honda Odyssey. Honda Civic Hybrid.
Can I book a New York taxi?
In New York you CANNOT pre-arrange a TLC taxi to pick you up, it must only be hailed. There are other livery services and car transport companies that can be rung if you do want to book a ride though. On the 19th April 2012 the TLC voted to allow livery cars to collect passengers when hailed in Upper Manhattan and the four other boroughs which were traditionally underserved by TLC taxicabs.
A new class of bright apple green livery cabs renamed as Boro Taxis, with metered fares, credit card readers and roof lights, will begin to appear on the streets in 2013 which means New Yorkers who previously had to call a livery cab for service will now be able to hail these cars as they do TLC taxis.
TLC taxicab passenger limit by law is 4 people (5 including the driver), although a child under the age of 7 will be accepted if held on the lap of an adult passenger thats seated in the rear.
How will I know when a New York taxi is available?
It’s all in the lights! When just the centre light illuminates the medallion number the taxi is available to be hailed.
When the centre light is off and both side lights are on (illuminating the words ‘Off Duty’) the taxi is off duty and wont stop for you.
When there are no lights on this indicates that the taxi is carrying a passenger to their destination and is unavailable.
How to hail a New York taxi.
Firstly, try to hail a taxi in the direction you are already going, it saves time and your money. When you see an available taxi and assuming it’s safe to do so step off the kerb whilst holding your hand up high, if for whatever reason you don’t get the drivers attention step back onto the kerb and await the next available taxi and repeat the process, its as simple as that.
New York taxi fares.
Once you step into the cab the meter will be turned on, this is called the ‘Flag-drop fare’ and is $2.50, after that it will cost you 40 cents for every one-fifth mile or 40 cents per minute if you are stopped in traffic or very slow moving traffic.
If you go over any toll bridges or through any toll tunnels the cost will normally be added to the final fare although some drivers may ask you to provide the money up front. Between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. you will have to pay a surcharge of 50 cents and during peak weekday hours of 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. you will pay a surcharge of $1 per toll, you will be informed of any tolls before the start of the trip.
There is a flat rate charge of $45 from Manhattan to JFK Airport, there is no nightly surcharge on this. From Manhattan to Newark Airport it's the standard meter amount plus a $15 surcharge and tolls which comes to around $69-$75, sometimes a few more dollars with the tip.
Assuming you're happy with the journey then tip your driver between 15% and 20% of the total fare. Paying by cash is generally preferred however all taxis now accept credit cards.
It’s important that you always take a receipt after the journey, this will state the medallion number of the taxi and will be the only way that the TLC can trace back what taxi you were in just incase you have left anything.
How to direct a New York taxi.
The best way to direct the driver is by giving the cross street first and then the avenue i.e. 48th Street, Fifth Avenue, when you are closer to your location then give the exact address. Make sure you ALWAYS fasten your seatbelt up, New York taxis are required by law to provide them.
Disability Services.
Taxicabs are required to welcome service animals. If the passenger states that the animal is a service animal then the driver must, regardless of whether the animal is secured or not allow them in the taxicab.
If non-service animals are not in a secure kennel case, drivers may elect to transport or not transport them and the accompanying passenger. All taxis are required to take passengers with a folding wheelchair and to fold up the wheelchair and place it in the trunk.
A community car service base called A-Ride-For-All, operates only vehicles that are equipped to pick up passengers who are wheelchair users. This number is: (718) 706-7433.
Wheelchair users can now arrange a wheelchair accessible medallion taxicab ride through a new pilot program by the NYC Government by calling 311.
New York taxicab rider bill of rights, as taxi a rider, you have the right to:
A discounted E-Z Pass rate if the driver owns one through toll crossings that accept it.
Pay for your ride with credit/debit card.
Go to any destination in NYC, Westchester, Nassau, or Newark Airport.
Direct the route taken: The most direct route or one of your choice.
A safe and courteous driver who obeys all traffic laws.
A knowledgeable driver who speaks English and knows City geography.
Air conditioning or heat on request.
No horn honking or radio.
Clean smoke and scent free air.
Working seatbelts for all passengers.
A clean taxicab: interior, exterior and partition.
Be accompanied by a service animal.
A driver who does not use a cell phone while driving (hand-held or hands free).
Decline to tip for poor service.
If for any reason you aren’t happy with the service that’s been provided and you wish to make a complaint then note down the four digit medallion number on the dividing screen behind the driver and contact the TLC on (212) 639-9675.
The future of New York taxis.
On the 3rd May 2011 Mayor Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Goldsmith and Taxi and Limousine Commissioner David Yassky announced that the Nissan NV200 had been chosen as the winner of the Taxi of Tomorrow competition. The City now will enter into final negotiations with Nissan to make the NV200 the first taxicab specially built for use in New York City and the City's exclusive taxicab for a decade!
A preview of the new NV200 NYC taxicab
Listed are some of the new design features of the NV200:
Passenger airbags designed to work around the partition. Exterior alert lights to inform other drivers of taxi doors being opened. Sliding doors to eliminate "dooring" of other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Flat middle seat. Anti-bacterial, non-stick seats. Flat "no hump" passenger floor area. Custom-configured vehicle ride to deliver maximum comfort for passengers and drivers. Independent passenger climate controls. Filtered interior air. Passenger charging stations - one regular outlet and two USB passenger ports. Passenger reading lights and Interior floor lighting for night time use. More luggage room than a Crown Victoria. Exterior "horn light" to reduce horn usage. Lowest costs will help reduce need for future fare increases. Built-in grab handles to assist entrance. Extra light, easy-to-open sliding doors. Spacious cabin, no need to twist or pivot to be seated. Separate driver climate controls. High fuel efficiency will be a major financial advantage for drivers. GPS navigation. More driver leg room. Ability to be manufactured with fully electric power.
Did You Know?
The word ‘taxi’ is short for taxicab, which was the name given to them by Harry Nathaniel Allen when he imported the first 600 motorized taxis to be used by the New York Taxicab Company from France.
He was inspired to create the name because the meter used to decide the fare of each journey is called a taximeter, which comes from the French word taximetre which in turn comes from the German taxameter. Taxameter comes from the Latin words taxa, meaning tax or charge, and metron which is Greek for measure.
Ford Crown Victoria.
