Announced just the day before, last week’s work stoppage by D.C. cabs surprised many. After stories in the W. Times and the Post, things seem back to normal – for now. The cab drivers are upset by a proposal by Mayor Anthony Williams to abolish the 9-member Taxicab Commission, and replace it with a “Taxicab and Limousine Services Administration” under the D.C. Department of Transportation, which would be led by an appointed administrator.

To make matters worse, this month’s Washingtonian reports finding many problems with D.C. cabs. To start things off, in a 61-trip study they conducted, testers were overcharged 25 times – by an average of $2.16. The article also reported a few disturbing incidents involving taxi drivers in recent years including harassment and one death. It concludes passenger complaints are often ignored, many D.C. taxicabs don’t meet safety standards, and convicted criminals are getting licenses to drive cabs – but acknowledges D.C. officials have made improvements eliminating corruption.

Think you’ve been stiffed by a DC cabbie? You can check the fare with the D.C. Taxi Fare Calculator, and necessary, file a complaint with the DC Taxicab Commission. To get some more perspective on the matter, this past weekend DCist had the opportunity to talk to two cab drivers about last week’s cab strike.