CPI-W Adjustment: TLC's Yearly Uber & Lyft Pay Raise

CPI-W adjustment: the yearly inflation raise to TLC's minimum pay rates for Uber and Lyft trips. Every March 1, the per-mile and per-minute amounts go up by the percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the New York–New Jersey–Pennsylvania metro area, comparing the previous calendar year with the year before it (rule 59D-22(a)(4), TLC chapter 59). TLC then posts the new rates on its website.

The latest figure

On March 1, 2026, the rates rose 3.36%, the 2025 average CPI-W increase. The new minimums are $1.283 per mile and $0.681 per minute in the city for regular vehicles, $1.601 per mile for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and $1.757 (WAV $2.193) per mile plus $0.725 per minute outside the city (TLC Industry Notice #26-03, rates as of 2026-10-12).

How it works

What it means in dollars

The raise is a percent of the minimum, so it is small per trip and adds up over a year. A trip whose minimum was $20.00 before March 1, 2026 has a minimum of about $20.67 after the 3.36% raise (our arithmetic). Trips in February are still checked against the older rates, so keep the date in mind when you compare pay with the rates.

The CPI-W adjustment is separate from other inflation-linked amounts you may see. For example, the 2023 Attorney General settlements set sick pay rates that are "adjusted annually for inflation" on their own schedule: see paid sick leave for Uber and Lyft drivers.

Past adjustments

TLC's 2024 expense report lists CPI-based raises of 1.4% (2020), about 5% (2022), about 6% (February 2023) and 3.5% (2024) (TLC expense report, Exhibit 2). There was no adjustment in 2021 because of Covid-19. On March 1, 2025, only the per-minute rate rose by CPI-W (3.92%), because the per-mile rate was being reset by a new expense study (TLC Notice of Promulgation). The full chart is on minimum pay rate history.

Where you see it as a driver

• In the industry notice each February and on TLC's Driver Pay Rates page.
• On your receipts, which must show the minimum rates in force for the period.
• In the out-of-town rates, which rise by the same percent: see out-of-town rates.

The 2018 rules first placed this provision in section 59B-24(a)(4); it is now 59D-22(a)(4). The broader term is minimum pay standard; the full rule is on Uber and Lyft minimum pay and the Uber and Lyft drivers hub.