NEW YORK — Everything passengers have feared about being overcharged by some taxi drivers apparently may be true, at least in New York City.
Hundreds of cab drivers accused of repeatedly overcharging passengers will face an independent tribunal.
The city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission on Friday issued the results of a month-long probe into elevated meter-based charges. The agency said 88 drivers each overcharged clients at least 500 times, while 545 more did so 50 to 499 times.
Some could lose their licenses, or face fines of as much as $5,000.
The commission said almost 22,000 medallion cab drivers, out of about 50,000 total, charged the higher rates 286,000 times, costing passengers about $1.1 million.
The TLC does acknowledge that some drivers could have made honest mistakes operating their meters.
The tribunal is linked to the city’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
