Bloomberg officials and cabbies face off in a City Council hearing today on a bill to rein in hacks.
The legislation would increase fines for drivers who refuse to take passengers to any destination in the city, charge higher fares than those set by the Taxi and Limousine Commission and, in the case of livery hacks, pick up street fares.
Liveries can take only customers who arrange service by phone or online.
TLC Commissioner, David Yassky, has emphasized the need for cabs to take passengers to any of the five boroughs — not just within Manhattan.
The bill, which Mayor Bloomberg supports, comes in the wake of a scam unveiled last year involving cab rivers ripping off passengers to the tune of $1.1 million during 286,000 trips by charging a higher suburban rate, rather than the city rate.
The bill would increase fines to up to $350 for the first offense. A driver with at least three violations three times in three years would face a $1,000 fine per offense and lose his license.