Pedicabs in Midtown Manhattan offer an alternative to taxis during rush hour, but their pricing is often unpredictable, leading to cases where tourists are overcharged. For example, one passenger was charged $442 for a 15-minute ride that covered less than a mile. Pedicab drivers in New York City currently set their own rates, which can lead to confusion or exploitation. To address this, new regulations set to take effect will require drivers to post clear, per-minute rates that apply uniformly to all customers. While some, like Laramie Flick, president of the pedicab owners association, support the changes, others, like driver Ibrahim Donmez, believe fares should remain negotiable based on factors like terrain, weather, and passenger load.
For more information:
https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2013/07/09/199048226/how-to-spend-442-on-a-15-minute-cab-ride