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The District
Some Taxi Rides Might Cost You More Now
Taxi drivers begin charging higher fares this morning under a new rate structure approved by the D.C. Taxicab Commission.
The overall cost of most rides may actually go down, however, because the commission also dropped the $1.50 fuel surcharge it imposed four months ago following spikes in gasoline prices after Hurricane Katrina slowed oil production and refining in Gulf Coast states.
Today's fare increases are the first granted by the commission since May 2004. The increases vary from 18 percent for a one-zone trip to a little less than 10 percent for trips traversing four or more zones.
"We've got a lot of owner operators who face increased cost pressures, and they need help," Causton A. Toney, chairman of the commission, said in a statement announcing the new rates.
"This action will continue the temporary relief that operators received through the fuel surcharge without putting an unreasonable burden on passengers," Toney added.
The $1 rush-hour surcharge and a $1.50 charge for each additional passenger remain unchanged. The new fares are:
One zone -- $6.50, up from $5.50.
Two zones -- $8.80, up from $7.60.
