New York City's famous taxis are an integral part of Lower Manhattan life. The Taxi and Limousine Commission operates 12,187 yellow medallion taxicabs throughout New York City, which are the only vehicles authorized to pick up passengers hailing on the street or at taxi stands in New York City.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission regulates the taxi industry, establishes the fare structure, licenses taxicab drivers and establishes licensing standards for drivers and owners. Rates signs are posted on the front doors of each taxicab. Taxi stand signs are installed and maintained by the NYC Department of Transportation.

For more specific taxi information, click here or call the 24-hour Consumer Hotline at (212) NYC-TAXI.

For the best places to catch a taxi in Lower Manhattan, click here.

Fares

Rates signs are posted on the front doors of each taxicab. Taxi rates are as follows:

• $2.50 initial fare
• $.40 for each additional unit*
• $.40 per minute of waiting time
• $.50 night surcharge between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Passengers are responsible for paying bridge and tunnel tolls.

*One unit of fare is equal to one-fifth of a mile when the taxicab is traveling at six miles per hour or more, or 120 seconds (at a rate of forty cents per minute), when the taxicab is not in motion or is traveling at less than six miles an hour.