Photo by manwithface.

If D.C. Taxicab Commissioner Ron Linton has his way, riders could see an increase in what they pay as soon as February 2012.

At a meeting of the D.C. Taxicab Commission this morning, Linton swiftly moved a proposal to raise rates and set a public hearing for November 29. The proposal, which we reported on yesterday, would see an increase in per-mile rates from $1.50 to $2.75 while doing away with many of the existing surcharges.

But while the idea of a quick rate increase would seem like an attractive proposition to many cab drivers, some aren’t so keen on the idea — at least the way Linton envisions it.

“The entire process is broken,” said Larry Frankel, who leads the Small Business Association of Taxicab Drivers and criticized Linton and Mayor Vince Gray for stalling on what he says is a long overdue rate increase.

Frankel sued the city in September, arguing that no industry representatives have been seated on the commission and that it has not completed a survey of the city’s taxicab industry to assess what type of increases are necessary. Until that can be done, Frankel said, an interim fare increase should be implemented. (Linton has executive authority to unilaterally raise fares, but he has said that he won’t use it, opting instead for accepting proposals and holding hearings.)

In essence, while Linton may be pushing a proposal that may benefit Frankel, the process by which it is being pushed is broken, Frankel argues, effectively denying cab drivers their say.

In related news, the commission announced yesterday that the $1 surcharge on all trips due to high gas costs has been extended until March 5, 2012.