NYC's "$2.75 uber congestion fee" just is a form of new taxation for the lower and middle income

NYC is adding a $2.75 "surcharge" fee for all rides south of 96th street. Effects Lyft and Uber only, not yellow cabs and other car services, who will now become the cheaper option.

"Your surcharge will go directly to the state to support public transportation. It won't go to drivers or to Lyft. "

This is a form of direct taxation. There are a few issues with this.

We already pay the highest taxes in the country for living in new york city. and now new yorkers are again being charged yet another form of tax to support the state (note these proceeds go to the state, not to the city).

Let's do some quick math.. if you take uber to and from work, and use it twice on weekends, that works out to 2.75*2*7=$38.50 per person per week, or $2002 per year in increased tax.

For someone making 100k a year, that's a 2% tax increase. For someone making $1M a year, that's 0.2%.

How liberal of new york to add this new form or taxation of the lower and middle income classes.

Uber and Lyft already have great surcharge pricing feature that sends people into subways during peak times, have ride-sharing, meanwhile yellow taxis are by design single occupancy rides.

For anyone that actually uses the subway at peak times, you know that it's crowded as hell, shoulder to shoulder standing room only, we don't need it to become any more crowded. This will not reduce congestion, it will reduce uber and lyft driver income.

This looks a lot more like a law to "let's send people into yellow cabs", and has little to do with subways or raising money for the state.

Also very odd.. as a tax payer living in manhattan, why wasn't I asked for my opinion about this new law?

I took a yellow cab a few days ago and it was a horrific experience that reminded me how great Uber is. The guy was incredibly rude for no reason, didn't verbally respond to anything I said or asked him, drove like the car was stolen even though we were stuck in traffic, overall, a very awkward experience.

I wish I had 4 hands so I could give this new "law" 4 thumbs down.