Taxi Zigzag

The May 24 editorial "A Year of Taxi Meters" appropriately concluded that it would be premature to raise taxi rates; however, the editorial missed the mark when it claimed taxi meters to be a "boon for passengers, who appreciate the clarity."

I have worked in the District for 24 years and have watched the cost of a quick cab ride from downtown to Capitol Hill steadily escalate. Prior to the new meter system, the fare (with tip) typically ran $7. Rather than establishing clarity, the new system is completely variable with fares (with tip) now ranging from $8 to $10 depending on the route the cab driver takes.

Under the old zone system -- for downtown travel -- drivers had a certain incentive to take the fastest and most direct routes. Now, drivers frequently attempt to take longer or less direct routes in order to increase or "pad" their fares.

Meters may take the guesswork out of calculating the fare, but they require riders to know exactly where they are going and the most efficient way to get from point A to point B. Before they commit to raising fares, city officials should investigate this problem.

KATIE O. ORRICO

Annandale