When the Legislature passed an MTA funding package that included a surcharge on taxi drop-offs, the move was clearly intended to hit New York City pockets. 

Taking a cab? It'll cost you more soon - and not just in the Big Apple.But it's not just New York City taxis that will be incurring higher fees. Taxi riders in all 12 counties in the MTA service area, including Orange County, now face a 50-cent surcharge on every taxi ride they take.

The surcharge is meant to create a new revenue stream for the MTA, to hold fare hikes down and eliminate service cuts. But for anyone taking a taxi from LIRR and Metro-North Stations, for example, there will now be extra costs. Cab drivers are also fearful that the new surcharge will cost them business. 

In addition, the surcharge has also sparked concerns that riders will take gypsy cabs instead.