The D.C. Taxicab Commission randomly tested 91 taxis in late December and found that the majority (94 percent) had working credit card systems.
The field test took place during a two-week period through New Year’s Eve, DCTC said in a release. Of the 91 rides taken, six credit card systems “were described as not working” and three other drivers initially refused to accept credit card payment. According to DCTC, 6,693 taxis have installed a credit card payment system.
Other violations found during the filed test, conducted by men and women of different races trained by DCTC, include:
These 43 drivers will meet with DCTC staff, and could be fined up to $1,000, depending on the infraction, or suspended. DCTC says 48 drivers tested did not have any violations.
Following many WUSA9 reports on what seems to be racially-motivated refusal to haul, which sparked a “Director’s Inquiry” by the Office of Human Rights, DCTC says other field tests will focus on this issue “which predominantly effects African American males and is a violation that will not be tolerated.”
Of the 26 infractions issued on New Year’s Eve, four were for not displaying a Face ID and one was for refusal to haul. Five unlicensed cabs were impounded.
