Uber and other app-based car services won’t be allowed to charge more than 20 percent above their initial estimate under a bill introduced Wednesday in the City Council.
“Too many riders get confused by the final bill,” said Councilman Dan Garodnick, one of the sponsors.
Uber currently gives its customers an estimate of what a ride will cost, including tolls — but the company is not obligated to stick to that estimate.
Currently, if a driver goes the long way or gets stuck in traffic, the fare could be much higher than what was quoted.
The new bill would impose a limit on the final bill.
For example, if the company said a ride would come in between $15 and $20, the final bill could not be more than $24, no matter how long it took to get to the final destination.
Uber officials said they are reviewing the legislation.
This bill would not prohibit surge pricing, where Uber changes its prices based on how many drivers are on the road and how many customers are looking for a ride.
The bill would also not affect yellow or green cabs’ current meter system.