Uber raising prices for customers in New York City
NEW YORK (WABC) -- If you are an Uber customer in New York City, get ready to pay a bit more.
Prices are increasing for a few reasons, including a new congestion pricing surcharge and a new minimum wage.
The Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) just enacted a $17.22 minimum wage for Uber drivers.
Smaller companies like Lyft and Juno are contesting the wage, and so a judge said for now they don't have to pay it.
Uber won't say how much their prices will increase. It did say customers will definitely notice, but the hope is so will their drivers.
Some drivers support the change.
"We like to make more money especially in this area where it's a lot of traffic, you know, you get stuck," a driver said. "With timing, money everything goes up, so it's good for us."
Another issue, a new congestion surcharge, has been the subject of taxi drivers' protests
The surcharge, which goes into effect at midnight Saturday, will impose a $2.50 fee for taxis and a $2.75 fee for ride-sharing vehicles taking any trips below 96th Street in Manhattan.
A judge put it on hold, but now says it's allowed to move forward.
RELATED: NYC taxi drivers call Gov. Cuomo's congestion pricing a 'suicide surcharge'
Governor Andrew Cuomo called the judge's decision a positive step, and he said it will generate a million dollars a day for the MTA.
Uber released a statement on the price increases: https://www.uber.com/blog/new-york-city/prices-in-nyc/
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