The drivers are members of the Teamster-affiliated D.C. Taxi Operators Association and the target of their protest is digital dispatched ride-sharing services such as Lyft, UberX and Sidecar, where regular people give rides to others using their private vehicles. The cab drivers have been at odds with the new services saying they have an unfair advantage over regular cabs since they don’t have to follow the same rules and pay the same fees.
Organizers said they planned to deliver a letter and petition to city officials asking them to impose a “cease and desist” order on the services.
Services such as Uber and Lyft have become popular alternatives for people looking for a ride, but such services have faced opposition from the taxi cab industry as well as some state officials. Virginia recently issued a cease-and-desist order to Lyft and Uber, barring the services from giving rides in the state (trips that originate in D.C. and Maryland, however are permitted). The app-based ride-sharing services have received a warmer reception from the D.C. Council where a bill currently under consideration would allow such services to operate in the District as long as they meet certain insurance requirements and follow safety rules. A separate set of proposed regulations by the D.C. Taxi Cab Commission, however, would place limits on the number of hours drivers for these services could operate unless they have a taxi license.
In a statement, the D.C. Taxicab Commission said the commission is working on updating regulations that will ensure “a fair, balanced, competitive, and safe system for passengers and drivers.”
D.C.’s taxi cab drivers aren’t alone in their protests. Such actions have taken place in the U.S. and around the world as cab drivers struggle to compete against these new companies.
DC Taxi protest against uber and the like on Pennsylvania avenue. Honking taxis in all directions. pic.twitter.com/VJ3b2Yuwbu
— Andrew Matteson (@andrewmatteson) June 25, 2014
Massive Uber protest! pic.twitter.com/yht7uscUa2 — Kevin Lang (@wu_lang_clan) June 25, 2014
DC taxis stage protest against Uber. How about improving your product/service instead of complaining? #uber pic.twitter.com/8x11kBgvcp
— Mike Nichols (@1flybymike) June 25, 2014
Taxi protest on penn ave. I love uber. @PoPville pic.twitter.com/luSmjBTTHL — S. Danger Mackay (@SDanger_Mackay) June 25, 2014
Taxis gearing up for protest today. I better grab an Uber and get out of here. pic.twitter.com/jVIEJSRDOp
— Tim Krepp (@timkrepp) June 25, 2014