Driver Minimum Pay Rule Amendment

Online comments: 6

• Wardak

  Drivers are facing serious challenges right now — from high gas prices to increased vehicle maintenance and insurance costs. Instead of truly helping, TLC reduced the mileage rate by 12% (from $1.41 to $1.24), while only increasing the per-minute rate by 10%. This is not a 5% overall increase as claimed.

  In fact, many drivers are now earning less after August 1. TLC should have applied the 5% increase to both the mileage and minute rates, not cut the most important part of our earnings. We rely heavily on mileage-based pay, especially on longer trips. Cutting that rate puts more financial pressure on hardworking drivers.

  We urge TLC to reverse this decision and support drivers with real, meaningful pay increases.
  We are extremely disappointed by the recent decision from the TLC. We did not expect this kind of unfair calculation from an agency that oversees more than 200,000 licensed TLC drivers.

  Comment added August 5, 2025 2:42am

• Amin merette

  No estoy de acuerdo con esas tarifas de Uber trabajo en el turno de noche y mis ganancias se ven menores y el costo de vida cada dia es más caro. Y Uber gana 50/50. Me explico si me pagan 60 Uber cobra 59.99 para ellos no es justo que como chofer ellos ganen más que yo y más que el cliente tenga que pagar tanto dinero

  Comment added August 5, 2025 12:28pm

• Abu Azou

  Dear TLC Commissioners,
  I am writing as a licensed TLC a dedicated Driver of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) in New York City. I am extremely disappointed by the recent amendment adjusting the minimum per-mile pay rate for high-volume for-hire vehicle (HVFHV) trips that begin in NYC and end NYC and not alone this new proposal for trips that end outside the City.
  Serious Financial Burdens for Drivers
  Drivers today face unprecedented financial challenges with skyrocketing gas prices, sharply rising vehicle maintenance costs, higher insurance premiums, and ongoing TLC compliance expenses. Instead of easing these burdens, TLC has chosen to reduce the mileage rate — a move that directly cuts into the core of our earnings.
  While the TLC claims a 5% increase, that is misleading. In reality, the mileage rate was reduced by 12% (from $1.41 to $1.24), and only a 4% increase was made to the per-minute rate. Since drivers rely heavily on mileage especially on longer trips this change reduces overall income for many of us after August 1st. A true 5% pay increase should have applied to both mileage and minute rates, not favor one at the expense of the other.
  Out-of-Town Trips: An Unfair Adjustment
  The proposed adjustment of the out-of-town minimum per-mile rate to $1.700 for non-WAVs appears to correct a prior oversight in accounting for utilization rates and vehicle depreciation. While that update is appreciated, it does not go far enough to address the full scope of drivers’ concerns, especially for WAV drivers like myself.
  WAV Drivers Face Even Greater Challenges
  As a WAV driver who invested over $78,000 in a compliant accessible vehicle, I expected to continue receiving a fair mix of trip types including longer, higher-paying rides. However, since making the switch from a standard sedan (a Honda Accord), I have notably stopped receiving long-distance trips particularly those going outside NYC or from major airports. Especially with uber
  This shift in dispatching has made it extremely difficult to earn a sustainable income, despite the higher operating costs and the added responsibilities that WAV drivers take on. Our service is vital for riders with disabilities, and we deserve the same earning opportunities as other drivers if not more.
  Uber consistently keeps WAV drivers trapped inside Manhattan. Even when I wait at the airport, the trips I get are almost always just to Manhattan never beyond. If I’m in the Bronx or Brooklyn, Uber sends me right back to Manhattan, where I’m stuck doing only short trips. I never receive trips from outside Manhattan or even from Manhattan to outside the City . The only “longer” rides I occasionally get are from Manhattan to JFK or LaGuardia , but those are rare.

  Meanwhile, non-WAV drivers receive more frequent long trips, including out-of-city fares, giving them better chances to earn fairly. This is unacceptable and unfair to WAV drivers who have made major investments and serve riders with accessibility needs.
  Our Request to the TLC
  We urge the Commission to:
  • Reverse the mileage rate cut to before August 1 and apply the full 5% increase fairly across both per-mile and per-minute rates.
  • Ensure WAV drivers receive equitable trip assignments, including longer trips and airport fares.
  • Provide real and meaningful support for all drivers especially those who invest more to serve the most vulnerable passengers.
  We did not expect such an unfair and misleading adjustment from an agency tasked with protecting more than 200,000 hardworking licensed TLC drivers. We call on you to reconsider this rule amendment and stand with the drivers who keep New York City moving with professionalism, accessibility, and care.
  Sincerely,

  Comment added August 6, 2025 5:49pm

• Mustapha Ouhejjou

  Hi we deserve a raise and faire pay as we’re a backbone of these companies that take all the payments and left us with almost nothing especially out of town trips. We are the ones who risking our lives behind the wheels plus too much expenses to deal with
  Best regards and thank you

  Comment added August 7, 2025 5:26am

• KHANDAKER AHMED

  Please increase the payment because it’s very much necessary for us Black suv drivers to survive . I drive for uber and lyft since 2014 and i feel like we are still stuck at the 10 year back price list , there were barely any increase but car payment interest and insurence going up every year .

  Comment added August 12, 2025 8:15pm

• Kathleen Collins

  In the annexed letter please see my comments in response to the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission’s request for comments regarding the TLC’s proposal to amend its rules with respect to the following four topics:

  1-Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Conversion, Reference Number 2025 RG 005,

  2-Cyclist Awareness Decals, Reference Number 2025 RG 058,

  3-Personal Injury Insurance Coverage Requirement, Reference Number 2025 RG 057, and,

  4-Driver Pay Rule Amendment, Reference Number 2025 RG 062.

  Very truly yours,
  Kathleen M. Collins

  Comment attachment
  9-2-2025-Final-Letter-to-NYC-TLC-Conversion-of-Taxis-Etc-2.pdf

  Comment added September 2, 2025 5:55pm