Final days before hidden surcharge goes into effect for all Uber & Lyft users – it increases based on where you’re going

THERE are just days remaining until a hidden surcharge is introduced for all Uber and Lyft drivers in a major city.

The levy is set to be baked into ride prices, with the amount increasing based on where you go.

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Ride-hailing firms are responding to the introduction of a new congestion charge in New York City.

Based on similar schemes in Europe, most famously in London, the new programme means that drivers have to pay a small fee to enter the more congested areas of the city.

The idea is to reduce the Big Easy’s famous traffic jams, resulting in both a better driver experience and lower emissions.

That’s simple enough when people are using their own personal vehicles, but it becomes complicated for cabs and private hire.

Uber and Lyft have confirmed that they will be adding the charge onto existing prices in order to absorb the extra cost.

The ride-hailing services will be charged $1.50 per trip into the Manhattan zone, which will be passed on to customers.

The zone is defined as all local streets and avenues from 60 Street and below near Central Park.

Uber will be adding this onto bills for its trips, while Lyft and its subsidiary Citi Bike will do the same for cars, bikes and scooters.

Passengers will receive a notification when their trip takes them into the zone informing them of the extra charge.

In its company blog, Lyft wrote: “Rides in NYC are among the most expensive in the country, partially due to all the government-imposed taxes and fees riders have to pay before even stepping into a vehicle.

“The new $1.50 congestion fee starting in January is on top of a separate $2.75 congestion fee riders already pay to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.”

However, the firm will give drivers temporary relief during the initial stages of the charging period.

Throughout January passengers who incur the fee will be credited back the $1.50.

This can then be used to contribute towards future trips to any destination.

The credit will be applied to all rides into the zone through January 31, but must be used in the week following the initial trip.

Drivers can also pay a lower fee by using a cab rather than ride-hailing, as taxis only have to pay 75c rather than $1.50.

But both are lower than the $9 charged for personal cars in Manhattan.

The new charge will come into force on January 5.

It comes after a new January 1 law has changed the penalties for drivers using their cell phones behind the wheel.

Fines have gone up to as much as $500, depending on the number of times you are caught.