Cab drivers walk to the Wilson Building. Photo by Sarah Anne Hughes

With the Teamsters behind them, a group of D.C. cab drivers gathered outside the Wilson Building to continue their fight against what they see as the problematic rollout of modernization efforts and to get Mayor Vince Gray’s attention.

In a letter addressed to Gray, the newly formed Taxi Operators Association asks for “an immediate halt to driver fines and taxicab impoundment over the new regulations until a fair resolution is reached between the city and the taxi drivers”; “a subsidy or reimbursement to compensate the taxi operators for the unfair unilaterally imposed costs associated with the new regulations”; “the appointment of a driver recommended by the Washington, D.C. Taxi Operators Association to the current vacancy on the D.C. Taxi Commission.”

A Teamsters representative also announced that an injunction will be filed on behalf of the drivers tomorrow to stop the modernization efforts – including the required installation of credit card readers and dome lights – until drivers’ concerns are heard.

Drivers at the event told DCist that many cabs were impounded over the weekend for not having dome lights, which were required to be installed by November 1, on their vehicles. The D.C. Taxicab Commission’s spokesperson said about 4,000 dome lights have been installed, and 25 vehicles were ticketed and impounded over the weekend. Drivers reported seeing as many as 45 cabs impounded in one night.

At one point, the drivers attempted to enter the Wilson Building to deliver the letter. In the end, a representative from the Executive Office of the Mayor came outside and accepted the letter.

At the event, a Teamsters representative said they have opened a “dialogue” with Gray over their issues. The mayor’s spokesperson said Gray has agreed to listen to the drivers’ concerns.

Once again, drivers told DCist that payments have been delayed, some by up to a month. Indeed, WAMU’s Martin DiCaro reports that payment service provider Hitch has been fined $6,000 by the DCTC for late payments. Hitch will appeal the ruling.