D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty announced this afternoon that new time and distance meters for D.C. taxis must be installed no later than April 1, 2008. The announcement came about nine hours after the end of a 24-hour taxicab driver strike in response to the Mayor’s decision to abandon the zone system.

Fenty and D.C. Taxicab Commission Chairman Leon Swain Jr. also announced the pricing structure for the new meters: a $4 flag drop charge, then 25 cents for every sixth of a mile after the first sixth of a mile traveled. That doesn’t include any possible surcharges like rush-hour or luggage fees.

To compare, New York City’s flag drop is $2.50, with 40 cents for every fifth of a mile after the first, while Philadelphia’s is $2.70, with 30 cents for every additional seventh of a mile.

The Washington Post gets out its calculator and determines that a ride of two miles will now cost a minimum of $6.75, as opposed to a theoretical 2-mile trip that stays in one zone, which would currently cost $6.50. Of course, should that 2-mile trip cross a zone line, the fare would be $8.80.

Drivers who are caught without a time and distance meter after April 1, 2008 will be subject to fines of $1,000.

The Taxicab Commission said it will accept public comments on the new regulations over the next 30 days. According to their city-run web site, the next full meeting of the commission will be on Wednesday, Nov. 14. The public can reach the commission at (202) 645-6018. Ward 1 D.C. Council member Jim Graham said he would hold his own public hearing on the matter as well.