Additional-rider fee restored to taxi fare proposal
WASHINGTON (AP) – D.C. taxi drivers will be allowed to charge
$1.50 for each extra rider under rules Mayor Adrian Fenty is proposing.
Taxicabs are scheduled to switch from a zone-based rate system to meters on April 6. Cabdrivers have complained they were losing the additional-rider fee under the new system proposed by the mayor in January. Fenty announced the latest rules proposal on Friday.
Under Fenty's plan, the base rate for any trip will remain $3, plus 25 cents for each one-sixth of a mile traveled. The maximum fare increases from $18.90 to $19.
Many taxi drivers have opposed the change to meters, saying they will lose business and income. The head of a group representing cabdrivers says the restoration of the additional-rider fee isn't enough to satisfy drivers.
