Tourists Scammed by NYC Pedicab Drivers Over Pricing

Tourists in New York City, particularly in Times Square, are falling victim to a scam involving pedicabs, where the advertised price is per minute, not for the entire ride. These pedicabs, often adorned with lights and music, are a common sight in tourist areas and near Broadway shows, with drivers soliciting passengers. The scam involves drivers quoting a seemingly low price, such as $10, which is actually the rate per minute. This detail is often hidden in small print on signs attached to the pedicab.

One Israeli tourist, Yonatan, recounted his experience where a ride lasting less than ten minutes resulted in a demand for $80. He initially offered the driver the quoted $10 and told him to keep the change, only to be informed that the price was per minute. The driver pointed to a sign with the rate printed in very small font.

Yonatan is not alone in this experience, with numerous videos online warning others about this specific scam. When passengers realize they have been misled and are being charged exorbitant amounts, they often negotiate with the driver for a reduced price to end the encounter.