Despite Strike, Taxi Plan Moves Forward

WASHINGTON -- One day after a strike by D.C. cab drivers, Mayor Adrian Fenty is full speed ahead on his plan to switch from a zone fare system to time-and-distance meters.

Issuing a mayoral order to the D.C. Taxicab Commission, Fenty pushed through the following figures, without the commission having to hold meetings:

• A base fare charge of $4 when the passenger gets into a cab.

• 25-cents for every one-sixth of a mile traveled, after the first one-sixth of a mile.

• 25-cents for every minute stopped in traffic or traveled under 10 miles per hour.

The maximum fare for a trip in the District, excluding extra charges like extra passengers, bags and wait times, would be $18.90.

"Every passenger deserves a reliable fare system that they understand," says Fenty. "These regulations will allow us to maintain our great taxi system while bringing transparency and clarity to the fare calculation process."

Fenty wants to have the meters go into the city's fleet of over 6,000 taxis by April 1. Between now and then, there will be a 30-day public comment period, as well as a 60-day review period by the D.C. Council.

It is possible that the numbers will change after the public and the council provide input.

Some other changes to cab service include:

• Lights on top of cabs will be illuminated (like they are in New York City) when there is not a passenger. When a passenger is picked up, the driver will drop the flag on the meter and the light will go off. The change is expected to make hailing a cab easier.

• Taxi inspectors will spot-check both meters in cabs as well as the technicians that install the meters. Taxi drivers will be fined $1,000 each time they are found to be non-compliant with the new regulations.

Fenty was greeted by protesting drivers at the announcement. Some called for the zone system not to be changed.

Taxi drivers staged a 24-hour strike from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.

It is unknown how many cab drivers participated, although many reported seeing a steep decrease in the number of taxis on the street and some waited 30 minutes for a ride.

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