Actually, the rule requiring double the meter outside the City applies only to Westchester and Nassau Counties. Anywhere else (except Newark Airport) the fare is set by negotiation. Here is the text of the fare rules, available on the web at:
http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/tlc/html/taxirate.html

For a trip beyond the limits of the City of New York, except for the Counties of Westchester or Nassau, or the facilities of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey at Newark Airport, the fare shall be a flat rate (a flat rate is a definite amount fixed between the driver and the passenger at the start of the trip).

For a trip to the Counties of Westchester or Nassau the fare shall be:

the amount shown on the taximeter for that portion of the trip that is inside city limits, plus twice the amount shown on the meter for that portion of the trip that is outside the city limits; and all necessary tolls to and from the destination shall be paid by the passenger.

For a trip to Newark Airport the fare shall be:

the amount shown on the taximeter plus a surcharge of $10.00; and all necessary tolls to and from the destination shall be paid by the passenger.



[This message has been edited by RichG (edited 01-16-2001).]