Tipping a taxi is a rooted custom in the U.S., mainly in the service industry. It doesn’t matter if the person is a first-time rider or a local; it is considered basic etiquette to tip the taxi driver. But there is always confusion about the amount of the tip. The standard range of tipping lies between 10% and 20% of the total fare.
How much to tip a taxi driver in NYC?
Many drivers earn a significant portion of their income from tips, as their base fares may not always reflect the total earnings they need to sustain a livelihood. This is the major reason it’s important to tip a taxi in NYC.
Breakdown of the tip system:
- 10% Tip: Generally for the short rides and average services.
- 15% Tip: Standard tip for most of the rides in NYC.
- 20% Tip: For excellent service, assistance with luggage, or if traffic navigation was efficient.
These standard tips are significantly applicable to yellow (medallion) cabs, green (boro) cabs, and app-based taxi services like Curb. However, Rideshares, including Uber, Lyft, ask passengers to tip through the app.
In-built tip options
Most NYC taxis are now in-built with online payment options that automatically suggest tipping options of 10%, 15%, and 20%. If the passenger is in a hurry, he/she can select one of these options and pay along with the fare charges.
Payment can be made either by card or cash. If the rider wants to pay by cash, they can politely hand the tip directly to the driver, while for the card, they can select from the tipping options on the screen and pay online.
When to Tip More:
Passengers can consider tipping more than 20% if the driver:
- Helps with heavy luggage.
- Waits for riders during stops.
- Behaves Polite.
- Takes an alternative turn to avoid traffic.
- Drives safely and courteously.
When is the tip not expected?
Travelers can avoid tipping if the driver:
- Behaves rudely.
- Made the rider feel unsafe.
- Drives Recklessly.
- Disrespects the passenger.
Final thoughts
Tipping taxis in NYC isn’t just an etiquette but also a custom that helps drivers gain a bit more than their regular incomes. By understanding the standards surrounding tipping, one can ensure to give a fair tip to the driver. However, passengers are not obligated to tip, but if they had a well-mannered ride, then the driver does deserve a tip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The ideal amount of tipping a taxi driver in NYC is 10% to 20% of the total trip fare.
Generally, it is a part of tradition followed for centuries in NYC to tip a taxi driver. But it depends on the quality of the trip, good or bad.
No, you don’t have to tip the driver if he behaves rudely or makes you feel unsafe.
Many taxi drivers don’t earn much from the actual fares, and tips in these scenarios act as an extra income for them. If the passenger has a good and safe ride, it is important to reward them a bit.
Absolutely yes, if a passenger chooses the online mode to pay the fare, he/she can add the tip to the total fare.