The D.C. Taxicab Commission took the first step to restructuring cab fares in the District.
The new fare plan raises the cab fare rate per mile, but also drops many surcharges that are currently tacked on.
The council approved the new rules today, but will have to go through a one-month review period and another public review hearing before the rules could actually go into affect.
In the plan accepted today, the per-mile rate jumps from $1.50 to $2.16, and the wait time rate goes up from $15 per hour to $25 per hour. The initial 'flag drop' rate would stay the same at $3. The rate for the snow emergency charge would be $10 for trips ending in the District and $20 for trips to the suburbs. The surcharge for extra passengers would get thrown out.
The city says this new pay structure would restore cab fares for passengers and revenues for drivers to May 2008 levels, when the District was still under a zone-based fare system.
More detail on the plan can be found at the Taxicab Commission's website here.
If the bill makes it through review without delay, the new rates could be in effect by February 3.
