City’s cab fees to increase

By Alberto Gilman
Posted 5/24/22

The city’s cab drivers are getting a raise and a new place to wait for fares.The Newburgh City Council, Monday night, approved the ordinances amending Chapter 272 which entitled Taxicabs of the …

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City’s cab fees to increase

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The city’s cab drivers are getting a raise and a new place to wait for fares.
The Newburgh City Council, Monday night, approved the ordinances amending Chapter 272 which entitled Taxicabs of the city code and the Taxi Stand Designation for Broadway.

These two ordinance approvals were a collaborative effort between the city executive office, police department and taxi driver associations. As the motion was approved taxi cab drivers and city council members rose and applauded the passing of these ordinances.

According to Corporation Counsel Michelle Kelson, the cab fare in the city will see an increase from $5 to $8, there will be a half price for residents 65 years of age and older and there is a waiting fee that increases from $1 to $2. Kelson stated that if this ordinance passed at the council meeting, then there would be implementation of the ordinance by June 1.

For the taxi cab stand, the proposed location for a designated taxi stand is to be in front of St. Patrick’s Cemetery located on upper Broadway. New signage and street lining are proposed for the location. City Manager Todd Venning emphasized that this location is not for overnight parking but for cabs who are waiting for a call.

For the taxi cabs and drivers, Police Commissioner José Gomérez said the city police department will handle one of the two inspections that cabs must do. One inspection is completed through New York State. The other inspection, now handled by the police department, will ensure that proper signage, lighting and required safety needs such as seatbelts are available in the cabs. This inspection will be at no cost to the cab drivers.

With the approval of the ordinance, the code states that on taxi cabs there will be a number included on each cab license. Additionally, an inspection sticker issued by the Chief of Police will be visible and preset on the cabs. Additional information on the city code included taxi cabs and livery definitions, inspection requirements, driver fees and license requirements and all other cab information are all available on the city website for public viewing.

In early February, the City of Newburgh released an educational pamphlet for the city taxi drivers to address and clarify issues surrounding taxi driver and cab regulations and licensing of taxis within the City of Newburgh.

The city pamphlet also discussed current taxi driver and taxicab application and licensure processes, taxi base responsibilities, inspection requirements, applicable fees, fares and provided driver requirements to ensure all drivers and cabs are in compliance.

For additional information about the taxicab licensing and registration process, residents can call the City of Newburgh City Clerk at 845-569-7311 or contact the City of Newburgh Police Department at 845-569-7505. Additional information is to be released on the city website for residents to review the fare increases and other city code information.

The pamphlet is available for viewing on the city’s website.