This Sunday, a 50-cent surcharge will be added to taxi fares, as part of the state's MTA bailout which was approved earlier this year. This surcharge is in addition to the existing surcharges, such as the rush-hour surcharge (Monday-Friday) of $1 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and the night surcharge between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Two taxi metering companies' computers (not the Taxi and Limousine Commission's) jumped the gun with the surcharge—apparently 4,000 taxi riders were overcharged by 50 cents on October 22, 25 and 26, because of a "computer glitch." The Daily News reports that riders can get refunds—call 311— if they can back up their claims with a credit card receipt or taxi receipt: "The TLC said it has made arrangements for the responsible companies to refund the overcharges." More details about the refund after the jump:

From the TLC:

Affected passengers may call 311, to report they were overcharged, or submit a claim for the refund at www.nyc.gov/tlc. GPS technology will allow any affected passenger to be correctly identified and refunded. To request a refund, affected passengers will need to fill out a form that will ask them for several pieces of information to assist in verifying their claim.
· If paid by Credit Card:
o Credit Card Statement
§ block out all but last four digits of card number

o OR Taxi Fare Receipt
o AND Name & Address (for refund payment)
· If paid by Cash
o Taxi Fare Receipt
· OR the following pieces of information:
o Trip Start Date/Time
o Trip End Date/Time
o Trip Start Location
o Trip End Location
o Amount of Trip Cost
o AND Name & Address (for refund payment)

Affected passengers will be able to request the refund until December 31, 2009.