Taxicab Fare Increases Uncertain After Lengthy Hearing

Photo by NCinDC

Before we get to the actual hearing that took place today at the D.C. Taxicab Commission, let's get this out of the way: fares are not doubling. The Examiner's front page headline boldly announced that "Mayor appointees set to double taxi fares," gravely over-simplifying the current debate over proposed fare increases and setting of a mini-panic in the local Twitterverse. (See the Post's Mike DeBonis for more on this.)

Regardless -- today, the commission held a hearing on a proposal submitted by an independent driver that would increase the per-mile rate for D.C. cabs from $1.50 to $2.75 while dropping many existing surcharges. Had the proposal sailed through the commission hearing today and encountered no other substantial opposition, it could have taken effect as early as February.

Nothing is that simple in the world of the District's taxicabs, though.

During the five-hour hearing, a number of cab drivers criticized the rate increase proposal as insufficient and seemed to side instead with an alternative increase that would keep the drop-rate at $3, while increasing the per-mile rate from $1.50 to $2 and the per-hour wait time from $15 to $25. (Surcharges would remain in place under that plan.)

Drivers and their advocates stated that the fare increase would tide them over while the commission completed a more detailed and independent study of the city's fare structure and possible rate increases. Most drivers complained that local rates as they stand are too low, both when compared nationally and regionally, and that only an independent three- to six-month study could determine what rate increases would be appropriate. Ironically enough, while most drivers said they disliked Mayor Adrian Fenty for implementing a meter system, they pined for the original fare structure that came with the meters, which included a $4 drop-rate.

For members of the District's lucrative hospitality industry, any talk of rate increases without first seeing improvements in service would be a non-starter, though, and they said as much today.

Solomon Keene, president of the Hotel Association of Washington, argued that before any rate increases could be considered, the city's "antiquated" cabs would have to see improvements ranging from credit card payment options to more consistent climate control. The Downtown Business Improvement District similarly wanted a "data-driven study" before any increases, while the D.C. Chamber of Commerce laid out a series of safety and efficiency improvements that would have to parallel any rate hikes.

Jack Jacobson, a Ward 2 ANC Commissioner and founder of the rider advocacy group D.C. Taxi Watch, laid out a seven-point plan he said would improve service for riders and fares for drivers. He said he wanted surcharges scrapped, credit card readers in all cabs, consumer representation on the commission and environmentally friendly cabs.

Stuck between the many competing voices was Ron Linton, the commission's chairman. While he has advocated for an eight-point improvement plan proposed by Mayor Vince Gray, those won't come cheap -- and may require a surcharge on fares. During the hearing, Linton hinted that an interim fare increase may have to be implemented while improvements to cabs are made, simply because the process of modernizing the city's estimated 6,500 cabs wouldn't happen overnight. (Linton has executive authority to raise fares unilaterally, but he has opted not to use it.)

Linton faces a perilous and thankless task in moving forward. Not only does he lead an understaffed commission that doesn't even have the capacity to accurately account for the number of cab drivers in the District and where they live, but the relationship between some cab drivers and the commission is so tense that finding common ground is almost impossibly difficult. (That doesn't even begin to describe how noxious the relationship between riders and drivers can be, only adding a layer of mistrust to the discussion over fare increases.)

He may have a way out that could satisfy almost everyone, though -- an independent study. Many cab drivers say that one is long overdue -- a rate survey is supposed to happen every 24 months -- and representatives of the hospitality industry would only be likely to acquiesce to rate increases if a study found that local rates were too low. Of course, the question is whether the study would be preceded by a temporary increase along the lines of what some drivers proposed.

Linton said he anticipates having a decision by the commission's December 13 meeting.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@dcist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Martin Austermuhle in News on November 29, 2011 3:30 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

ad_mic

"Most drivers complained that local rates as they stand are too low, both when compared nationally and regionally,"

Wait what? DC Cabs are basically the most notorious ripoffs up and down the east coast. They make NYC look reasonable and Philly look like highway robbery. Credit Cards are not accepted (or looked at with complete disgust), AC rarely works, and half the time I'm using the map on my phone to navigate the damn driver. Fare increase???

betweenloveandlike

You must be new here

ADrauglis

I really believe that the first thing they should do is require cabs to take plastic.I would bet that half of the service problems stem from a cabbie's fear. Fear of being robbed, fear of being a target, fear of losing that wad of cash. Taking credit cards can take away a lot of that fear. There are plenty of systems out there, some of which actually won't gouge the cab drivers.

Newhce

They will fight that tooth and nail. That would mean they would have to pay taxes on their tips.

One week before Swain was fired, he turned over a list of drives to the IRS. That did not sit well.

One of the reasons their income is down is because they have to do more reporting with the meter system.

Essence of Argan

That is a distance of about 150 km so I would estimate this trip to cost well over $200. At that rate it would be cheaper to rent a car and
drive there yourself.

Newhce

I will give DC cabs one concession. Just make it a flat $25 fee from national to anywhere in the district. For me, it would actually increase my fare, but I think that would work. (no bag fees,however)

HillmanDC

Where did DCist find a picture of a cab with it's door lock knobs not removed?

I thought that was first order of business for all DC cabbies - you imprison your riders in the back by removing the door lock knobs.

Often wondered how they can pass inspection that way.

But then I remember this is DC, and the entire cab system is a sop to political interests, not an actual integral part of a safe, decent public transit system.

I'm just here for the snark

Inspections!? You must be new here.™ Just stuff a $20 in the ash tray.

DCResidents4ReasonableTaxiFare

Please visit http://www.ipetitions.com/peti... to read and sign DC Taxi Watch's petition to keep taxi fares reasonable and improve service!

Guest

That is a photograph of a clean cab. Was the photograph taken in Washington?

DCTransplant

when I got into DCA Sunday night, I took a cab that was from Arlington, even though I was headed to Georgetown. I think it was a Red Top. Not only was the vehicle a well-maintained Lincoln that looked good and smelled pleasant, it had Persian carpets instead of floor mats in the back!

Guest

Sweet. I ride into the District in this:

http://www.provehicles.co.uk/i...

paulcotton

as part of the cannonball run?

Guest

How did you know Paul?

Newhce

I think it was photo shopped. The door lock knobs are still in place.

Derrick Mazrim

"For members of the District's lucrative hospitality industry, any talk of rate increases without first seeing improvements in service would be a non-starter, though, and they said as much today."

Lucrative eh? Maybe Martin is looking to start up a paper to counter the Examiner. Maybe looking for an exemption from the door-opening cab fee. Please just report and stuff your opinions.

Martin Austermuhle

Well, the hospitality industry (hotels and the such) brings in billions for the city, so I don't see how saying it's lucrative is wrong.

HillmanDC

I too found this phrasing to be weird.

Newhce

God forbid we get any larger context on this issue. Every story on this this should reference the political payback angle.

HillmanDC

Absolutely. We have this disgrace of a cab system because of the political paybacks dating back 20 years now.

Odd how this is so rarely mentioned.

Newhce

Swain was the first guy to try to put in place a system and remove the politics....and we all saw how that went.

HillmanDC

Yep. And I remember Sweet Ginger Martin's response to that..... something along the lines of "I don't really understand the DC cab issue".

Sadly I can't say DCist coverage has gotten much better. Certainly not much more in depth.

HillmanDC

Martin: I appreciate the offer, but really this ain't rocket science.

The entire cab industry in DC is the way it is because of political patronage. Cabbies actively supported Marion Barry, and now they support his successor, Vince Gray.

Tony Williams and Fenty tried some reform (in particular with Leon Swain), but they were cowed by the cab industry support for their opponents, and they had much bigger fish to fry in a dysfunctional city.

That's why we've never had cab reform.

Until you start viewing this issue as one of political patronage and payback and reporting it as such all you are really doing is reporting the minutes from commission hearings.

Martin Austermuhle

Hillman -- I have always said this, and I say it again. Please feel free to email me about stuff like this. If you feel like I'm totally missing something, you can help inform my writing my letting me in on your opinions, angle, etc. martin at dcist dot com

Kev29

The Examiner's front page headline boldly announced that "Mayor appointees set to double taxi fares,"

Ah, The Examiner. Where would we be without Phil Aschutz's screeching right-wing alarmism hand delivered to us for free each morning?

Newhce

WTF you talking about? The story was right on. So now it is right wing to call out Gray for his political log rolling?

Newhce

a number of cab drivers criticized the
rate increase proposal as insufficient and seemed to side instead with
an alternative increase that would keep the drop-rate at $3, while
increasing the per-mile rate from $1.50 to $2 and the per-hour wait time
from $15 to $25. (Surcharges would remain in place under that plan.)

F' these guys.

Oh, and the Examiner article did do a good job of tying this all back to their support for Gray. The cabbies make no bones about it. They want payback for their support.

Yay Gary!!

Martin Austermuhle

HCE,

The Examiner made a good point of saying that cabbies supported Gray, but please come to one of these meetings and ask them how they feel about Gray now. If he's there guy, they're certainly not feeling the love. Also, Linton has the executive authority to arbitrarily and unilaterally set rates. He could basically raise them tomorrow and be done with it. But he hasn't. I think the whole "The cabbies will get what the want from Gray" thing is much more complicated than it seems.

betweenloveandlike

If he's "there" guy?? Cmon...

Newhce

Oh and it is not just DCist, WaPo is driving me nuts with their non-reporting and "DC has cheap cabs" garbage.

Newhce

Martin,
Gray promised the industry a gas surcharge (check), more industry reps (check) and the firing of Swain (check).

Gary is learning (or he probably already knew) that the cab industry is insatiable. If he gave them everything they wanted, they would still bitch and threaten to strike and claim that he is not helping them. As long as one substandard cab gets a ticket for driving with bald tires, they will complain, threaten and bribe.

Gray made several promises that he has already kept (to the detriment of consumers). He made deal with the devil and now has to deal with the consequences.

Gray's "8 point plan" comes off more as a way to justify an increase than to improve service. It was clearly an attempt to draw attention away from the tit for tat. However, I don't think it will go anywhere. It is unworkable.

He had hoped that he could fulfill his promise of stacking the comittee with industry people and just be done with it. The cabbies won't let him stop there, however.

GentrifierNumber6

In all seriousness, the cab industry is largely controlled by East Africans...isn't it normal business practice in most of those cultures to haggle ad nauseum to get the best deal possible for yourself? Time to call the bluff...if they think it's such a better deal in Arlington, Alexandria, PG County, etc...they would already be plying their trade there.

Ollie Pooeater

I think, once again, you've been confused by the theater of politics in DC and missed the substance.

DCResidents4ReasonableTaxiFare

Please visit http://www.ipetitions.com/peti... to read and sign DC Taxi Watch's petition to keep taxi fares reasonable and improve service!

copperreddc

I would but for the 5 year, 250,000 miles rule. I have no problem riding in a vehicle that is well maintained and ten years old. I don't know how you'd hit the 250,000 mark if it was just used as a cab.

HillmanDC

Age and mileage limits are standard in almost all major city cab fleets.

copperreddc

I didn't say they weren't. I still object to 5 years. Make it 10, but set higher MPG restrictions.

HillmanDC

Completely unfair of you to suggest all I care about is cabs showing up on the Hill.

I also demand that they be driven by well-built half-dressed cornfed Iowa men who offer me foot massages and a hot towel for my forehead.

And instead of payment they insist that instead I impart a few choice words of wisdom. Payment enough, indeed.

betweenloveandlike

"So more pedi-cabs on the Hill will help? "
Not in the middle of winter it doesn't...

copperreddc

So more pedi-cabs on the Hill will help?

HillmanDC

I frankly don't care about MPG. If a cabbie wants to drive a gas guzzler I really don't care.

What I do care about is that it's reasonably clean and in good working order.

If that can be done with a 10 year limit, that'd be fine.

copperreddc

Face it, all you want it for cabs to show up on the Hill.

DCUnionGuy

MPD should have an all hands weekend for cabs. Set up, pull them over en masse and do basic inspections of license, registration, insurance, visible problems with the vehicle etc.

Newhce

Well, under the Fenty administration, the number of taxi inspectors were doubled. Under Gray, they were cut again. That was one of the industry's big complaints.

Ain't no way that is going to happen. Gray owes them.

jtmeyer

YAY GRAY!

DCTransplant

if that should happen, I would find out where there's a spot check, bring a lawn chair, popcorn and smokes and enjoy a fun-filled evening.

copperreddc

Impromptu DCist Happy Hour?

Guest

http://dcist.com/attachments/d...

knackers

So the cabbies want "a three- to six-month study" and the BDID want a "data-driven study", but they are in opposition. Would it be cynical to conclude that the cabbies want a non-data-driven study? Maybe a study that is apparently driver-less, wandering circuitously into dangerous territory, grossly overcharging, ignoring directions, and producing foul-smelling results?

DCTransplant

Also, with the per mile rate increasing from $1.50 to $2.75, and assuming that they will drop many existing surcharges, but according to Gray's 8-point plan surcharge on fares may be required, so we're basically doubling fares.

Newhce

I like how they are only going to add surcharges for the wealthy. Exactly how is that going to work Gary?

DCTransplant

Simple, in order to get a cab, you would need to show a recent pay stub, based upon which your surcharge will be determined.

Why do you have to make this so difficult?

Newhce

And I am sure that cabbies will continue to serve lower income neighborhoods just as frequently as they do now.

DCTransplant

That's irrelevant, since rich folks like me will pay more in surcharges and tips, cab drivers will want to stay in NW, thereby making finding a cab that much easier on a Friday night.

Adam L

Martin, you left out the booing and heckling from cab drivers while others were testifying. Keep it classy, guys.

As for any "independent" commission, it can only be independent if its members are from out-of-town AND also take into account quality of service.

Tranny_Surprise

You want to have a real hearing? How about have the taxicab commission go out onto the streets some Friday night and try to get a cab to Benning Road. They can enjoy, well, not going to Benning Road.

If they are lucky enough to actually get in a cab, they can enjoy being locked in it, listening to offensive rap/NPR loud enough to shake the puke stains out of the headliner, and going around corners on two wheels/or slow enough walking would have been faster.

All in all, I'm glad since they have solved all the shitty problems with the nations shittiest cab service they have found time to look at increasing the fares.

DCTransplant

but tell us how you really feel?

DCTransplant

before my head explodes, someone riddle me this:

how come the commission doesn't have the capacity to accurately account for the number of cab drivers in the District? Don't they fucking license these people to drive cabs? or did they lose all records in the great fire of 1871?

I'm just here for the snark

Gather round my friends so I can let you in on a little secret: this city has a long history of rampant mismanagement due to its insistance on hiring cousins, nieces, (frat) brothers, etc who are mere stooges for the interest groups who actually run the show. They have no records because a system of record-keeping is an essential component of a management toolkit, thus enathema to DC Gov (plus, if you don't write anything down, its harder to get convicted).

DCUnionGuy

In theory...yes. To quote from the Book of Homer: "In theory Marge, communism works." :)

DCUnionGuy

Nice write up Martin.

I'm unclear on one point. Are most cabs in DC part of an owner-operator system (1 driver, his cousin, some guy the cousin had dinner w/ once and an '86 Lebaron) or is it typically that the driver is an independent contractor who leases the cab from a company?

Martin Austermuhle

I feel like it's split, but no one today could easily quantify that. That seems to be one of the overriding issues -- it's hard to even know how many folks are out there, what they make, how long they work, etc.