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Judge Upholds Fenty's Right To Order Cab-Fare Change
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"If they get out there and get caught in traffic with these time-and-distance meters, and it costs them twice the money, they're going to find other means to get around," Wright said.
With tighter profit margins, Price said, he envisions a small number of big taxi companies taking over the industry from the thousands of independent drivers now on D.C. streets.
"Washington is the only city in the United States where the majority of drivers own their vehicles," Price said. "Because they own their vehicles, it has become a minority industry. And what this looks like is something that would break our minority industry."
The current fare system, with seemingly haphazard boundaries among the 23 zones and shifting rates depending on time of day, has long been criticized.
Tired of hearing complaints about it, Sen. Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.) attached a provision to District legislation last fall requiring that the District use meters unless Fenty ordered the zone system be left intact. The bill required either time-and-distance meters or zone meters that would tell a rider the cost of a trip before it began. Fenty favors time-and-distance meters, to bring the District's cabs in line with those in other metropolitan areas.
It remains to be seen how much leeway Fenty will give drivers in meeting the May 1 deadline. The fine for operating a cab without a new meter will be $1,000.
"I think there's an opportunity here for a little bit of goodwill," Graham said, urging Fenty to be flexible. "I know he's considering it, and I hope he does, in terms of giving the drivers a breather. Because I think people will comply if given the opportunity."
He added: "I think it's quite understandable that drivers held off spending $350. I would hold off spending $350 if I wasn't sure I'd have to spend it."
