NEW YORK (AP) — Even in an era of $500 hotel rooms and $18 cocktails, the $442 that a Texas family paid for a ride in a New York City pedicab has become notorious.
That fare made tabloid headlines this summer. Ever since, city officials have been pushing for a simple pricing structure so tourists don't get taken for a ride.
Pedicab operators say publicity over the mother of all shakedown fares has given them a bad name.
They are currently allowed to charge whatever they like as long as their prices are posted on the side of the cab. But listed prices are often based on a confusing formula.
A proposal before the City Council would scrap the rate cards for a per-minute charge which each driver could set.
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