WASHINGTON -- Oh, the poor D.C. taxi cab drivers.
They were back in the spotlight Thursday during a D.C. Council oversight hearing, claiming they've lost one-third of their revenue since the city switched from zoned fares to meters last year.
Taxi drivers also testified during the hearing regarding the D.C. Taxicab Commission that a $19 cap on rides keeps them from charging a reasonable fare for longer trips.
They called on the city to get rid of the cap and allow them to pick up more than one passenger at a time.
They also showed a more childish side during the hearing, according to the Washington Post:
They burst into applause and cheers when fellow cabbies shared stories of frustration that there had been little change since a task force made recommendations last fall. They laughed openly when anyone praised the performance of the nine-member commission, headed by Leon J. Swain.
Ahh, that's nice. Hard to earn respect from the commission, the council and passengers with actions like that.
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Especially when riders have complained for years about a zone system that often left them feeling cheated on fares because they couldn't figure out how many zones they went through.
Or because drivers would intentionally take routes that would cross several zones instead of taking a more direct route.
Or because riders would be charged totally different amounts by different drivers each time they took the same exact route, causing even more confusion and anger.
But we digress...
Despite the scoffing, the taxi cab drivers may get their way. Councilman Jim Graham said he wants the commission to make the changes drivers asked for or explain why they are not possible.
He asked commission head Leon Swain to report back on the financial impact of meters.
Swain said some of the drivers' concerns are valid and he'll follow up on the complaints and Graham's requests.
