taxi please! please? please i beg you, take me home

I am very happy that I moved to Hoboken. The space, the peace, the proximity to NYC - love it all. I really have no complaints. Except for one major one. Late at night, when I'm in the city and JUST WANT TO GO HOME, it pains me to no end to hop into a cab (if they let me in, of course) and then pay $50 - $60 to get home, even though it only takes 5 minutes to get there. This makes no sense. Really, it's my only major complaint since my move out of Manhattan that I really care about.

Purely and simply - if we had a more economical taxi option home at night, Hoboken would be a much more desirable 'borough' to reside in. But because we are not part of New York state, we get the shaft by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. Well, to open a discussion on this problem, our Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, sent off a letter to the TLC Commissioner/Chair to see if we can improve things. Letter is posted below for you to read. If you would like to add your two cents, click here to send an email to Commisioner Daus yourself. It's quick and painless. And as we know from experience - the only way to affect change is to speak up yourself. Thanks Ruben for reaching out, now let's see if we can get somewhere. I know there are thousands of you who feel exactly like I do. So go ahead and send the TLC an email.

To read related posts on this subject from Hoboken Now (hi Carly!) and New York's Sixth, click the links below. I also encourage Hoboken411 to write about this too - I'm sure his readers would LOVE to chime in on the subject...(ahem, cough, cough)...

Hoboken Now: Ramos calls for cheaper taxis from NYC

New York's Sixth: Just a Cab Ride Away


***************************
March 27, 2008

Mr. Matthew W. Daus
Commissioner/Chair
New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission
40 Rector Street
New York, NY 10006

Commissioner/Chair Daus:

I write hoping to work in conjunction with your office, to address an issue that affects a multitude of residents who reside in the New York City metro area. Specifically, my office has received numerous calls regarding exorbitant fees for taxi rides from Manhattan to New Jersey municipalities that rest immediately outside of both the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, such as Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken and Jersey City.

In many instances, New York City taxi drivers charge $50 for rides that are only a few short miles and minutes away from destinations within very close proximity to the New Jersey side of the tunnels. Clearly, these fees surpass what a metered ride would cost.

Moreover, the fee for a ride to New Jersey far exceeds the cost for a longer trip within the five boroughs of New York City. Therefore, it is evident that riders to New Jersey are charged rates that are not commensurate with that of riders who stay in New York City, creating an unfair circumstance.

Furthermore, a reduction in taxi fare for riders from New York City to New Jersey makes rides more accessible, offering many benefits such as increased commerce in New York City, reduced driving while intoxicated and raised revenue through toll collection to New Jersey. Also, drivers would not lose money, as additional riders would utilize this service, thereby allowing for more income.

In closing, please note that this issue is one of importance to my constituents, as we continue to share an economy with New York City.

I look forward to your response. Thank you for your attention to this mater.

Sincerely,

Ruben J. Ramos, Jr.
Assemblyman

Cc: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, The City of New York