Photo by NCinDC

As we recently reported, taxicabs in the District may eventually get better, but those improvements may well come at the expense of a surcharge on every fare paid. As the debate moves forward as to whether such a surcharge should be levied and whether or not fares should increase across the board, taxicab drivers will certainly have a say — but many riders won’t. One group seeks to change that.

The Post reported yesterday on the rebirth of a taxicab rider advocacy group, D.C. Residents for Reasonable Taxi Fares. Started in 2007 by Jack Jacobson, a Ward 2 advisory neighborhood commissioner, the group seeks to include riders in the discussion just the same as other groups represent Metro users or cyclists, but has been somewhat quiet since its inception.

The group’s first press release was issued yesterday and deals with the very surcharge that could fund improvements such as credit card readers, fuel-efficient vehicles and better enforcement of taxicab regulations.

“An additional surcharge on taxi customers is a nonstarter. We already have surcharge upon surcharge when we get into cabs. District consumers and tourists deserve a straightforward, understandable taxi fare system,” said Jacobson, who noted that riders currently pay a $3 drop fee when they get into a cab, in addition to a $1 gas surcharge which will remain in effect until mid-November.

Of course, any success that Jacobson and the group hope to have will depend on how effectively they can be heard. Taxicab drivers are a powerful lobby, flooding public meetings and donating heavily to political races.

“That’s the point — riders have never had a voice,” Jacobson told us. “It’ll take some time, but we feel that rider voices need to be heard in any discussion, and we’re looking forward to stepping up and being that voice.”

While the group is holding back to see what taxicab drivers, the D.C. Taxicab Commission and legislators propose, Jacobson said it would be ready with a response if necessary.

“We’re holding our fire until we see how things mature. Should riders be gouged yet again, we’re going to step up and cause a ruckus,” he said.