D.C. Taxicab rates went up over the weekend. Saturday the rate per mile increased from $1.50 to $2.16; the initial flat rate remains at $3.
When the Taxicab Commission , the justification for the 44 percent rate per mile increase was that it put D.C. "more in line with peer jurisdictions." The new rates return revenues for drivers and rates for passengers "to levels comparable to the zone-based fare system."
On the plus side, there are no longer bag charges or charges for additional passengers.
During his , D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray said he is hoping to revamp the city's cabs. He mentioned having uniform colors for cabs, credit card readers, GPS systems for better directions and security systems to improve safety.
“In the next six to eight months, I’d like to see card readers in every cab,” said Gray.
Since the fares went into effect Saturday, however, riders have reported inconsistent results when it came to their fares because not all meters have been recalibrated. Drivers are not required to switch to the new system until the May 31 deadline.
Have you been charged a different fare for taking the same route? Do you think the rate hike and fee changes are fair? What do you think about uniform cab colors and other proposed enhancements? SPEAK OUT in the comments.
