The fares between EWR and NYC are insane because New York State and New Jersey don't have reciprocal taxi licenses. That $100 covered the "lost" fare back to N

The fares between EWR and NYC are insane because New York State and New Jersey don't have reciprocal taxi licenses. That $100 covered the "lost" fare back to NYC as well as the fare to EWR. If you take a taxi from EWR to NYC you'll also pay effectively a return fare since the taxi can't (in theory) pick up a legal return fare. Most metro-area car services are cross-licensed in both states (so an NYC black car service can pick up in NJ and vice versa).