Citizen Group Proposes Changes to D.C. Taxi Plan
WHEN D.C. MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY announced his plan to mandate time-and-distance meters in District taxicabs earlier this fall, the move was met with cheers from residents long dissatisfied with the confusing decades-old zone-based fare system.
But when the mayor unveiled his pricing plan for a meter-based system on Nov. 1 — which includes the most expensive minimum fare of any large city in the nation — there was a lot of grumbling. A group of D.C. residents banded together to voice their dissatisfaction with Fenty's proposal and even started an online petition that they say has netted 1,500 signatures.
The mayor says his pricing plan is not yet set in stone. Now the citizens group, D.C. Residents for Reasonable Taxi Fares, has unveiled a five-point plan that suggests changes to the mayor's proposal, which would put it in line with the fare structures seen in other large cities.
From the group's announcement:
Among the issues that need to be reconsidered before the Mayor's proposed rules are finalized are the following:The mayor's office didn't have any specific comment on the group's proposals. But spokeswoman Dena Iverson tells Express:
» Reducing the base fare from $4.00 to $2.50 for the first 1/6 of a mile.
» Eliminating the rush hour surcharge.
» Eliminating the additional passenger surcharge.
» Allowing multiple drop-offs for 2 or more passengers who enter the cab at the same origination without resetting the meter.
» Fully enforcing taxi regulations.
The mayor encourages everyone to take advantage of the public comment period on the proposed time-and-distance meters. All comments will be taken into account before the final rules are written.The two-month public comment period comes to close at the end of the month. Stay tuned ...
EARLIER:
» "Cab Riders Organize Online to Protest Fares" [WaPo]
» "Taxi Riders Fight Fenty's Plan for $4 Drop Rate" [Free Ride/Express]
» "Fenty Announces Rate Plan for Taxi Meters" [Free Ride/Express]
Photo by Michael Williamson/The Washington Post
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Addison Road
I seriously hope the Mayor and the Taxicab Cronies, sorry, Commission, actually does listen to the Public on this issue... rather than ignoring the Public like they've done since the Zone system was implemented.
By Phil , Posted December 5, 2007 4:24 PMThe petition expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed plan and countered with the $2.50 drop fee. It did not include the other four points.
By Mike Licht , Posted December 5, 2007 5:12 PMhi
I love zone system I use too much taxi ride in dc.I have never problem.I know the fare before I get the ride I know how much I have in my hand. why you change the system only for the tourist who came for one two days. If you want change . Change to zone meter that should be the best.
By adam , Posted March 18, 2008 8:23 PM