Pedicab driver Savas Avci has been exploiting tourists by charging over $400 for short rides, using hidden fees and a complex pricing system. He lured a Texas family of four with a promise of $1-per-block but ended up charging them $442 for a 12-minute ride, claiming a $100 per-person minimum. He also charged another family $431 for a similar ride. While these tactics are not illegal, they are deceptive, with rate cards displaying per-person charges in small print. The NYC Pedicab Owners Association’s president, Laramie Flick, is calling for regulations requiring drivers to provide clear, upfront pricing. Avci may face penalties for violating the rule limiting pedicabs to three passengers.
For more information:
https://nypost.com/2012/08/06/pedicab-driver-tricks-tourists-for-442-riders/