Following a city crackdown aimed at curbing overcharging by pedicab drivers in New York, the number of licensed pedicabbies has significantly decreased, with more than a quarter opting out of renewing their licenses. Before the new regulations, which were introduced in 2013 to enforce fair pricing and improve safety, there were 1,217 licensed drivers at the start of 2014. By April, this number had dropped to 903, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs. The new rules mandate pedicab drivers to charge by the minute, display clear pricing on visible signs, and use city-approved timers, in response to incidents where tourists were grossly overcharged, sometimes up to $500 for short rides. While the reduction in pedicabs has been welcomed by many New Yorkers and residents of the Theater District and Midtown, where complaints of slow, dangerous, and obstructive pedicabs were common, there are indications that some drivers continue to find loopholes to overcharge passengers, including concealing high prices and targeting tourists at luxury hotels. Despite these challenges, the crackdown is seen as a positive step towards eliminating the most unscrupulous operators from the streets.
For more information:
https://nypost.com/2014/11/20/pedicab-licenses-down-after-city-crackdown-on-overcharging/