A bill raising fines for taxi drivers who unlawfully overcharge or refuse to take passengers to a destination in the five boroughs has passed the City Council.

The mayor is expected to sign off on it.

The bill increases fines for first-time offenders to $500 and a second offense would double the fine to $1,000.

Anything after that could lead to a driver’s license being revoked.

The New York Taxi Workers Alliance issued a statement saying “We are deeply disappointed by the City Council’s failure to address an economic issue with an economic solution. There were real alternatives here.”

The statement went on to say, “Stripping someone of their livelihood for 30 days after two strikes in two years is severe and will take drivers closer to poverty, given already low wages and lack of unemployment insurance.”

(Source: NY1)