D.C. Ofl:icials Pleased by Switch to Taxi Meters, but Many Cabbies Still Ticked        Page2 of3

TI1e change actually took effect May 1, but the city gave
the drivers a month's grace period before enforcing the
law. Despite the controversy, demand to be a driver is
growing, with nearly 1,000 people taking the most recent
taxi licensing exam this spring, according to the
conunission.
Cab rides in the District start at $3 for the first sixth ofa
mile; each additional mile is $1.50. For trips that start
and end in the District and make no stops, the fare cap is
$19. Drivers don't like the rate or cap, and they don'tlike
that they no longer are pennitted to pick up more than
one separate fare except at Union Station.
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), who mandated the switch, said the first year has been a success.
"I think there's a lot more reliability and
confidence in the system, and I have heard
both from residents and from cab drivers that
they like it," Fenty said. Still, he added, "I will
VVork smar Ier, no! h:-m:lr3L    stipulate that it is not tmanimous."
l~pply for '3a&y p;?;yn:leni solutions       The installation of meters brought the District
and you rnHy be ~-lluihk11"dr a       in line with cities including New York and
!:wsfrYier
for tourists and other visitors, believes the change was beneficial.
"It's predictable, and frankly for us, it's a bit cheaper," said Barbara B. Lang, president ofthe
D.C. Chamber ofCommerce. "Tourists are used to metered cabs. TI1is whole zone thing was
confusing for them Tills gives them some assurance that they'renot being hosed by
cabdrivers."
Lang said she was open to city officials reviewing the current rate structure and possibly even
raising the current $3 base rate. But "no more than $4," she said.

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